Vickie Natale live @ Blue Note in January

Vickie Natale Live at The Blue Note
January 10, 2010, 12:30AM
Blue Note
131 West 3rd St.
New York, NY
Ph: (212) 475-8592
Tix: $10

A rare artist among her own generation, Vickie’s music combines soul, pop and R&B to create an artistic light so bright she could illuminate a pitch-black room. Vickie is a technically skilled singer with a powerhouse voice so it’s no wonder she was crowned the CBS’s Star Search Grand Champion in 2004. Receiving approval from judges Naomi Judd, Ben Stein, Ahmet Zappa and Mc lyte, she breezed through the competition, which was viewed by over 9 million viewers. Her influences range from Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder. Yet she is quite capable of standing next to some of her contemporaries such as Joss Stone, Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera.

Not only is she a great singer she is in the upper echelon of her peers writing and producing the songs that she sings. One of her mentors, Nick Ashford has coined her "little Aretha" and said he knew from the first time he heard Vickie on stage at the Sugar Bar she had something special. Valerie Simpson also has said Vickie has amazed her with her ability to culminate herself as an artist and develop her writing and producing skills to soaring heights.

Immediately after her win on Star Search Vickie was signed to a development deal with Sony Records and recorded five songs with the label. In 2004 she released a digital single on A&M records "Like No Other" executive produced by Ron Fair. In 2005 she self released the album "Never Gonna Stop" on her newly created label. The album includes the song "Forbidden Love" co-written and produced by the legendary drummer Narada Michael Walden of Mahavishnu Orchestra fame.

In May of 2004 she made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops Orchestra under the direction of the legendary Skitch Henderson as well as opened for such acts as Reba Mcentire, Deborah Cox and Ashford & Simpson. This year Vickie also toured China, Japan and the US to support the release of "Never Gonna Stop," now available at www.vickienatale.com, iTunes and 1-800-BUY-MY-CD. Now she's ready to burn the floor of NY's Blue Note.