released March 25, 2022

Vocals: Angela Verbrugge
Piano: Miles Black
Bass: Jodi Proznick
Drums: Joel Fountain
Saxophones: Dave Say

Produced by: Angela Verbrugge
Associate Producer: Caity Gyorgy
Recorded: March 30, 2021 at Monarch Studios, Vancouver
Engineer: Dave Sikula
Vocal Production/Addt’l Recording: Ryan Enockson
Mixing/Mastering/Engineering: Ryan Enockson
Arrangements: Miles Black, Caity Gyorgy, Angela Verbrugge & the co-composers
Photography: Cassidy Nunn; Hair/Make-up: Erin Bradley
Additional Live/Bandmember Photos: Vincent Lim

* This recording and project is supported in part by Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia. The marketing of this project is supported in part by FACTOR. This recording and the project outreach would not have been possible without these generous supports.

Liner Notes by Caity Gyorgy, Associate Producer

In a world where everyday life is often overtaken by scrambling between tasks, it becomes increasingly difficult for artists to create major works that convey their unique observations. Musicians have always been resilient, but today’s musician must be a jack of all trades; a composer, an arranger, a bandleader, a soloist, an ATM, a dreamer, sometimes even a publicist or a lyricist. Many are not able to wear all of the industry hats, but Angela Verbrugge does so with style and vivacious determination.

I can’t think of anyone else in Canada (or beyond) who is doing what Angela is doing. Love For Connoisseurs gives you an idea of the deep knowledge, understanding and love Angela has for this music. Not only is she making a name for herself in the global jazz community through her recordings and performances, she has also built incredible friendships with top jazz musicians from scenes across North America. She sings their music, adding her own lyrics. Any singer can choose to make an album of standard repertoire, (I know because I’m one of them), but to choose the music of today’s popular jazz musicians and carefully craft imaginative stories that fit melodies and harmony is a whole other level of upholding the tradition. There is no other album out there like this one.

Love For Connoisseurs is a shining example of modern vocal jazz. What makes this album special is the repertoire selection made up of both original compositions and original lyrics written on modern songs. While you may have already heard the wordless melodies of original songs by Nick Hempton, Ray Gallon, Saul Berson, Miles Black, Ken Fowser, and Neal Miner, Angela’s recordings of these new standards bring a whole new perspective to the music. Her lyric-writing combines the wit of Dorothy Fields, the charm of Johnny Mercer, and the precision of Annie Ross. While some lyrics can be more serious, Angela never strays too far away from humour. Her singing is just as impressive. The melodies are not your typical songbook-style melodies. These are horn lines, which are difficult to sing. However, Angela makes these challenging melodies sound relaxed and natural. Her delivery of a lyric is always filled with emotion. No matter the story that the lyric tells, she has a special way of embodying the words and making the listener feel as though they are a part of the song. She also has fun with the music - you can hear the smile in her voice when she sings.

I’ve been lucky to get to hear these songs from when they were just lead sheets and lyric ideas. To listen to them now, recorded so beautifully, is incredibly exciting for me. When you pair spot-on lyricism and vocals with one of the most swinging bands on the west coast, you can’t go wrong. Miles Black, Jodi Proznick, Joel Fountain, and Dave Say do such a fantastic job of bringing Angela’s arrangements to life. Having been a part of the production of the album, I’m familiar with all of the extra licks and fills that the band plays on each track!

I would be lying if I said I don’t think about Angela’s music and lyrics every day. I find myself reciting her lyrics as I go for walks! Twentieth Century Fox is particularly catchy to me, especially the lyric “I just may want to walk the aisle, but here’s the paradox… to build a modern way of life with a twentieth century fox”. Her sophisticated and witty lyrics combined with a catchy melody written by tenor saxophonist Nick Hempton make for one of my favourite tracks on the album; another favourite is the title track Love For Connoisseurs. The groove off the top combined with Angela’s warm and inviting voice starts the album off in the best way. Of course, this is a common theme from the record because each one of the twelve tracks is my favourite. It’s hard to pick just one when the musicianship and writing is so strong. It has truly been a treat to get to know the music so well.


THANK YOU…

As Love for Connoisseurs came together step by step over the last three years, I felt the love and gratitude for my team crescendo to fortississimo! I could not have tackled such an ambitious project without their expertise, creativity, care, and hard work. A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to my core creative team (and idols!): Caity Gyorgy and Miles Black who helped me prepare and elevate every aspect, as well as Ray Gallon for his advice along the project’s journey. THANK YOU to the incredible musicians and patient, detail-oriented production team for their unique and thrilling ways of bringing these songs to life. Much appreciation for my NYC- and Vancouver-based partner composers for taking the leap to believe in my lyrics and for making adjustments to their songs. Merci beaucoup to Sam DuBois for his incredible French translation assistance. This project simply would not have been possible without the support of my family and friends; thank you to my loving husband Magnus for his encouragement and support, and big love to my teenagers Martin, Ella and Joseph. Sincere gratitude to: Gut String Records, Tony Genge, Earl & Laraine Clancy, Erik Kalaidiz, Greta Matassa, Nancy Newman, Sheila Jordan (who helped me refine my Maybe Now’s the Time lyrics!), Bill Buckingham, the Horner-Bradburys, my gigging bands, and to you for listening!