WHAT'S GOING ON
The Bossa Nova Hotel - Information - To Buy - EMI Japan Website (To Listen)
Please come to our first gig at The Cotton Club July 16th, 17th and 18th 2010 Tokyo Japan
Janey, Mike and Bruce with special guests Randy Waldman, Vince Romanelli and Tim Denbo
On December 3, 2009, Moon Island, by The Bossa Nova Hotel, (Michael Sembello, Janey and Bruce Gaitsch) was awarded Best Engineered pop CD in Japan by JAPRS. (Japan Association Of Professional Recording Studios) Bruce, Janey’s husband, was able to receive the award personally in mid-December during his trip to Japan where he played several concerts with Peter Cetera at The Cotton Club.
"Janey Clewer is a first class vocalist that sings from many points of view. Musically, I can't think of anything she doesn't do well. She continuely gives 100% every time out and her work on "Moon Island" is proof of every word I say. Right on, my girl!" -- George Benson
The Bossa Nova Hotel is a new group whose members include Michael Sembello, Bruce Gaitsch and Janey. Together, with the mentoring and guidance of Dick Rudolph, they have created a new concept in music; blending the timelessness of classic love songs with the Brazilian bossa nova and salsa. They have drenched each track with extravagant vocal harmonies and sensual rhythms. The result is something truly unique.
The Bossa Nova Hotel’s "Moon Island" was released May 27, 2009 on EMI/Japan. The first single will be their rendition of "After The Love Is Gone" written by the renown David Foster, Jay Graydon and Bill Champlin.
Here is what David has to say about the new single.
"what a wonderful new version of this song. one of the most exciting things about being a songwriter is finding out about someone covering one of your songs. jay, bill and i were so proud 30 years ago when we came up with this song and now we get to relive that "newness" all over again with this adventurous rendition. janey and bruce have always been great writers themselves and have consistently brought amazing musicality to everything they set out to do. give this a listen and i'm sure you will agree with me. bravo to janey and bruce for once again showing the world that you always have something fresh and unique to say with your musical endeavors every time out" -- my best and thank you-- David Foster
Initially, eight of the selected songs were featured on two different compilation CDs for Pronto cafes in Japan along with other artists such as Bobby McFerrin. The CDs for Pronto were released July 4th of 2008. Included on the Pronto releases and the full CD release is a song recorded to benefit Kid’s Earth Fund called "Through A Child’s Eyes". Kid’s Earth Fund has been helping children throughout the world for over 20 years and The Bossa Nova Hotel is happy and honored to be able to help their cause.
Information - To Buy - EMI Japan Website (To Listen)
George Benson
Since February of 2008, Janey has been singing with George for his Nat King Cole Tribute Concerts. From the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles with Patti Austin to Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC, NY with Winton Marsalis, Janey is the featured duet partner with George, singing the duet "Unforgettable" and "When I Fall In Love" as well as his lead background singer on other Nat King Cole favorites.
In 2009, Janey joined George for his numerous U.S. dates and summer European tour of jazz festivals and concert halls. From the Royal Albert Hall in London to the Palais des Congres in Paris; the North Sea, Montreux and Umbria jazz Festival; Istanbul to Monte Carlo, Janey will continue on the "Unforgettable" tour in 2010.
“BAMBINA”, the song written by Janey and Lara Fabian, was covered by the popular Japanese artist Ayaka Hirahara and was featured as the theme song to the Fuji TV drama "KAZE NO GARDEN" (“Garden Of Wind”) as their 50th anniversary special drama series.
The DVD itself was released in April 2009 and the song is also featured on the soundtrack album CD .
Fallen For Brazil
Janey has composed a beautiful collection of neo-Brazilian styled songs that will thrill your senses and stir your soul. There is one cover of "This Masquerade" an all-time personal favorite of Janey’s. She caresses each song with effortless, seductive vocals that exude an intimacy that is undeniably Janey. Every track is drench with timeless string arrangements and the incomparable John Patitucci on bass. Also featured is the vocal magic of Marc Jordan on the duet “ Make Her Mine” and Michael Sembello sings haunting Portuguese background vocals on "The Summer Wind". The CD also features the awesome acoustic guitar work of her husband, Bruce Gaitsch, flutes by Dave Boruff, vibes by Alex Poston and trumpet by Nick Newman.. The timeless string arrangements of Boh Cooper and Janey brush each song with beautiful strokes of color. The string players are Nashville’s finest led by David Davidson, concertmaster of Orchestra Nashville. Josh Abbey, producer and engineer for Russell Watson, mixed Janey’s CD in NYC, NY.
Open your finest Malbec, sit back and let your ears take you on a passionate musical journey to Brazil and beyond.
Michael Lington
Janey sang on 2 songs for Copenhagen’s smooth saxophonist Michael Lington’s latest CD entitled "Heat" released September of 2008. His CD is currently #1 on the smooth jazz charts.
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia’s benefit CD called Songs Of Hope And Inspiration: Olivia and Friends includes a duet Janey and Richard Marx wrote entitled "Never Far Away", featuring Olivia and Richard. It was released April 7th, 2008. The CD features many singers, including Keith Urban, Barry Gibb and John Farrar. The CD will benefit the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Australia. On September 2nd of 2008 Olivia released Olivia Newton-John and Friends "A Celebration in Song" which will also contain "Never Far Away".
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Here are 2 reviews of Janey and Richard’s song.
Newton-John's Worthwhile "Celebration" , June 4, 2008
By T. Yap "thy4568" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) -
Calling to mind Marx's own "Now and Forever," "Never Far Away" (which first appeared on Livvy's "2") is a tour de force duet of romantic proportions. T. Yap "thy4568" (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
Olivia is back with a vengeance. Never Far Away with Richard Marx is a great love song that will tug at your heart. 5 stars by bearluv
Italy – Sept 2007
In September of 2007, Janey and her husband, Bruce Gaitsch, performed with jazz guitarist Ruggero Robin at a jazz and wine festival in Albignasego, Italy and in a jazz club in Freesanco, ltaly. The concerts featured songs from Robin’s “Everyday Magic” CD which Janey and Bruce performed on, helped write and produced with Robin. The concert also featured several songs from Janey’s CD “Fallen For Brazil”.
