Smooth Jazz Miami Vocalist Sylvia Bennett

Easy Listening

Reviews for “Songs from the Heart”

“Welcome to the new classic. Songs from the Heart is a collection of unforgettable tunes that create a brilliant stage for Sylvia to shine on with amazing clarity…her warm, sweet & smooth vocal delivery is breathtaking. The natural sonic approach will appeal to music enthusiasts of all ages.”

Sandy Shore, Smoothjazz.com

“Anytime you get an album in and can’t help but add 7 of the 12 tracks on it to your play list, you know you’ve got a great album! It’s a can’t miss combination of a beautiful silky voice and the sensuous sound of three of the all time best sax men in the business that does it.”

Paul Richards, Program Director
WHLI, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut

“Songs from the Heart is not just another jazz vocals album, it is a ground breaking project. Sylvia Bennett creates a perfect marriage of voice and sax singing wonderful jazzy love songs with the help of a cast of luminaries. Bennett charms her way into your heart.”

Edward Blanco, WDNA, Miami

“Sylvia Bennett’s new CD has lit up our telephone lines. She has a unique ability to relate a lyric that affects our audience. She’s an oasis from the troubles in the world.”
Jeff Gehringer, Program Director

KSPA/KFSD Anaheim, CA

“You have not heard a collection of standards sung more passionately than the manner in which Sylvia Bennett delivers them. With the assistance of three of the music industry’s most prolific tenor saxophonists, Bennett & producer Hal S. Batt have created a masterpiece with Songs from the Heart.”

Joe Montague, Riveting Rifts

"Sylvia Bennett is a singer that personifies artistry in the truest sense of the word. Her tone is warm & pleasing to the ear. This album is like shaking hands with a smile as all the players bring their ‘A’ game to the session. There is no need to get the jeweler’s loop out on this record as the performers prove that great music speaks for itself.”

John Gilbert, ejazznews.com

Reviews from "There Will Never Be Another You"

"This album has a companion DVD featuring Hamp and the big band with Bennett vocalizing magnificently. This recording is a gem as well as having monumental historical significance. Sylvia Bennett's vocal on "There Will Never Be Another You" is pure joy as she struts and sashays her way through this tune sweetly swinging. Her clear tone and enunciation are perfect This has always been a great tune and Bennett treats it as such. Great vocal, with solid ensemble backing. "Beulah's Boogie" Boogie Woogie time as the band fires up this tune and smokes it fully. Hamp's solo is the be all and end all with the band romping happily. "Bill Bailey" Sylvia Bennett takes it upstairs and gives new meaning to this oldie. "Red Top" I have done this tune with Gene Ammons in the long ago past and it never gets out of style. A nice saxophone solo with the band driving hard and strong puts it in the category of swinging easy with substance. On "Please Love Me" Bennett gets after this tune like a hungry man with a ham sandwich. She swings; she sings with gusto and treats the tempo like an old friend. Blues with a strong message says it all. The combination of Lionel Hampton, Sylvia Bennett and the band work their magic in no uncertain terms. This is American jazz presented in its purest form."

John Gilbert, Ejazz News

"Hampton found his vocal soul mate in Bennett and the chemical reaction the two conjure up on ‘There Will Never Be Another You’ is as inventive as it is entertaining.”

"With spunky blowing by Hamp and the band and charming vocals, by the Italian-born Bennett, on seven numbers. After listening, It's easy to see why Hamp was so taken with her. Bennett has a pleasing voice and crystal-clear diction, sings squarely on-key, respects a lyric and knows how to swing when the occasion demands. Although her background was pop, she effortlessly to Hampton's more Jazz-oriented style."

" Smartly attired, this silken-voiced songstress performs with a flair that captures the Hampton style of big band, swing and classic jazz. In the intimate setting of this classy theatre, this classy lady meshes the songs with high technology. The multi-media were superb—it actually appeared as if she was singing and talking to Hampton, and he with her. She would start a song and then the large video would take over and she personally concluded with an occasional innovative surprise. After treating the audience to a delicious dose of world favorites: “Sentimental Journey,” “Lullaby of Birdland,” “Lady is a Tramp,” “Can’t Take that Away from Me,” “Bill Bailey,” “Don’t Mean a Thing,” and more, this gifted chanteuse indulged everyone with some of her original music."

"Relaxing smooth jazz compositions with uptempo Latin and Caribbean influences, “There Will Never Be Another You” also features the talented Sylvia Bennett. A Grammy nominated jazz artist, Lionel Hampton is known for his legendary skills on the vibraphone. Honoring Hampton, the album is a pop composition destined to appeal to jazz and pop audiences everywhere. Originally recorded in 1989 along with produder Hal Batt after their Grammy nomination, Lionel Hampton and Sylvia Bennett’s second album is staggering."

"This is an awesome collaboration - big band + dance mix + electronic vibes and of course, those sensational vocals by Sylvia Bennett...a sure chart topper! Kudos to everyone."

"There Will Never Be Another You: Recorded in 1989 but unreleased until now, Hampton had taken a liking to Florida vocalist Sylvia Bennett and this was their second album together. Still an innovator to the end, Hampton leads the way on a vibalicious performance that shimmers and bops at the same time. The pairing has an affinity that works, even in home recordings where there's nothing but the vibe flowing. A tasty work by a lion in winter doing the unexpected and letting his professionalism show. Old fans will love this post card from another time zone from the classic jazzbo master. The package also includes a DVD that goes into the story behind the story."

"Recorded in 1989 and featuring vocalist Sylvia Bennett, this studio performance captures Lionel Hampton in action with a big band, tearin’ up those swingin’ vibes. Hampton’s 1989 band arrangements are outstanding. They pull everyone together, lifting each section up to its assigned role in support of the vibraphonist’s featured spot. He carries each selection with vigor. Reeds and brass pack plenty of power, while the rhythm section swings. The use of electric bass and congas lend a contemporary charm to the band’s sound, which merges well with the leader’s animated performance. Sylvia Bennett, who sings six selections on this CD program and provides commentary on the companion DVD, fits the characteristics of the Hampton band well. The swing and bounce in her voice carries a complementary charm. Several of her selections are pop-oriented, bringing a decidedly different approach to the Hampton organization. She’s even integrated Hampton’s spoken comments as sound bites on a remix of "You Make My Heart Sing," which brings out the goose bumps."

"The album itself consists of fourteen tracks which alternate between instrumentals and vocal tracks with Sylvia Bennett. The songs are largely familiar titles like "Just One of Those Things," "Bill Bailey" and "It Might As Well Be Spring," with the addition of some swing-type titles for the instrumentals like "Cookin' in the Kitchen" (aka "Jumpin' at the Mudhole") and "Beulah's Boogie." Bennett's voice is admirable, with a clear and bright tone and good enunciation of the lyrics. There is a 28-minute DVD accompanying the CD which purports to show “the making of the album,” with camera work catching Hampton/Bennett planning, preparing and performing to record. There was obviously a great chemistry between the vibist and vocalist and, considering that Hampton is now gone, there's a quasi-treasure chest of memories in some of this footage."

"Bennett sings swing-era classics (Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Undecided, It's All Right with Me) with the confidence of a big-band belter- and the finesse of a smooth, understated crooner."