# Remembering of vocalist Carol Sloane. Bill Charlap on the her unique spirit: Video, Photo

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2023/01/28/remembering-of-vocalist-carol-sloane-bill-charlap-on-the-her-unique-spirit-video-photo/
- Published: 2023-01-28T00:02:14+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**I was first introduced to the artistry of Carol Sloane in my 20s by my dear friend
and mentor Sir Richard Rodney Bennett.**

One afternoon when we were relaxing at his Upper West Side apartment, Richard said
to me, “We’re going to hear Carol Sloane tonight at Fat Tuesday’s.” It was clear
to me that this was both a gift and a command by Sir Richard, who knew more about
singers and the song and pretty much about all music than anyone I had ever known…
but I had no idea how deeply affecting, uplifting, and life-changing that night 
would become for me.

We grabbed a cab and went downtown. There was a palpable buzz of expectation in 
the room. When the set began, a diminutive elegant lady walked onto the bandstand
and sang with such exquisite taste, warmth, complete control of her instrument, 
perfect pitch and effervescence that I was filled with that magical weightless floating
feeling when you experience a singular artist, with that most elusive and deepest
sense of extemporaneous swing. My heart was full, and each breath took the next 
breath away. That night was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

At Sir Richard’s suggestion, Carol Sloane reached out to me to play with her at 
one of her next engagements. We got on like a house on fire! The chemistry was instant,
and thus began a wonderful four-year period where we performed and recorded frequently.
She trusted me and nurtured me musically. But it wasn’t just a professional relationship,
we became true friends. I often think about one of the things that Fred Rogers talked
about… that is, people who loved you into being.

Carol Sloane was one of those very special people in my life. She was a model of
confidence coupled with humility. Her sound, always soulful and rich. Her spiritual
generosity, lifting. Listen to the way she sings “Deep Purple” on her debut recording
with the incredible orchestral arrangement of Bill Finnegan… or the deep probing
lyrical nuance with which she approaches “When I Look In Your Eyes” from the first
album we recorded together. The spirit of Carol Sloane will live on forever in the
beautiful music which she left us. I will love her and miss her forever.

![Carol Sloane](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/759e5f4/2147483647/strip/
true/crop/600x600+0+0/resize/880x880!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.
s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd3%2Fd3%2F2191b9eb4a99805c45394aa6e413%2Fcarolsloane.jpg)

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