Lynne Jackson And Mike Palter - Jazz Cabaret Artists

Internationally-acclaimed jazz/cabaret artists Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter are among the most original and creative vocal duos performing today. Their sophistication and style is evident in their exquisite interpretations of both classics from the Great American Songbook and musical gems from more contemporary composers like Dave Frishberg and Stephen Sondheim.

Recorded live at the Sanchez Center For the Arts in Pacifica, California, Girls, Moms & Me is a rousing and hilariously autobiographical celebration of "the battle of the sexes," featuring Lynne's stunning tribute to Nina Simone and her moving rendition of "A Child Is Born," Mike's unique versions of "And Her Mother Came Too" and his mock-operatic "La Donna E Mobile" (Verdi will never forgive him!) and the duo's "Don't Marry Me" and Irving Berlin's "You'd Be Surprised,"... a double CD of new and enduring classics.

Recorded in concert at the historic Orpheum Foxborough, Irving Berlin's America includes Lynn Jackson and Mike Palter's unforgettable "There's No Business Like Show Business" medley, the hilarious "You'd Be Surprised," the playful "Cheek To Cheek" and "Easter Parade," Lynne's haunting "Russian Lullaby" and Jim Repa's soul stirring "God Bless America," - twenty two of Irving Berlin's greatest songs, all performed in the unique Jackson and Palter style.

Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter's unique vocal style is enhanced by an uncanny ability to weave two seemingly disparate songs into an emotional, lyrical, and harmonious whole. For example, their rendition of "I'll Be Seeing You" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," from their New Rememberings album, has become internationally acclaimed.

Their CD, Sittin' on a Rainbow, features a cross-blend of "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" and "My Heart Stood Still," as well as two other cross-blends, and has received rave reviews from critics across America. This fine CD also showcases the talents of Paul Schmeling on piano, Jim Repa on sax and flute, and Bradley Hatfield on synthesizer. The noted jazz critic George Fendel picked Sittin' on a Rainbow as one of the top ten CD's of the year.

Perhaps the renowned musician and composer Dave Frishberg said it best when he exclaimed, "I can’t exactly describe what Lynne and Mike do, but whatever it is they do it better than anyone else on earth!" Of course, what they DO is play and sing the songs of "the great American songbook." And the uniqueness of their performances reflects their disparate backgrounds.

Introduced by their fathers who were golf partners, Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter seemed a mismatched pair. Lynne had studied at both the Longy Conservatory and the Berklee College of Jazz in Boston. Her musical interests ran from Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to Nina Simone. Mike, who had no formal musical training, taught English composition at the University of Massachusetts. Mike’s musical tastes ran from Nat Cole to Frank Sinatra and the great jazz pianist, Bill Evans. In a sense, Lynne and Mike were, musically, worlds apart.

On the heels of a favorable review by the Boston Globe, the pair relocated to Los Angeles, eventually establishing themselves as the most successful cabaret duo in that city. Interestingly, although presenting standards and show tunes as cabaret performers, the duo attracted a faithful following of a diverse group of outstanding musicians including Frishberg, Roger Williams and cabaret artist Michael Feinstein.

While still in Boston, the Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter had been given the first Encore Cabaret Humanitarian Award for their efforts on behalf of children, the hungry and the homeless. After moving to Los Angeles, they co-composed the "We Dream A Brighter Day" anthem for UNICEF which helped to bring awareness of the Ethiopian famine to the world. The song, performed by Lynne and Mike at the United Nations and by choral groups around the world, has subsequently been used to raise funds for countless humanitarian endeavors ranging from AIDS hospices to the Duke Children’s Hospital At this writing, their "Song Of Peace," written in English, Arabic and Hebrew, has been forwarded to important cultural and political figures in the Middle East.. Their performances in Normandy, sponsored by the family of General George Patton to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of France earned the personal congratulations of President Jacques Chirac. In the wake of September 11th, jazz legend Blossom Dearie recorded a CD single of their "It’s All Right To Be Afraid," co-written by their frequent collaborator, Academy Award nominee Arthur Hamilton.

Whether at the United Nations or Carnegie Hall, in churches, synagogues, universities or in the studio, Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter continue to present what many critics have described as "magical" performances of "the great American songbook," celebrating the sublime melodies, the wit, the wisdom and the lyrical genius of our greatest songs. As the distinguished music critic, R.C. Smith, has written:

"Lynne and Mike are an American resource."
-- The Cabaret Consortium

What People Are Saying

" I love every minute of it! 'Girls, Moms and Me' captures the essence of Lynne & Mike's talent and chemistry!"
- - Michael Feinstein

"This CD is Jackson & Palter at their best-mellifluous, heartfelt, uplifting and unforgettable."
- - Paul Theroux

"Glorious!"
- - Dave Frishberg

"The more exposure Lynne Jackson & Mike Palter get, the better for the world!"
- - Rex Reed

"Like a fine, old wine, Lynne and Mike keep getting better and better. Steve Allen was so right when he said that no one else has ever done so much and with such warmth in singing these Gershwin songs. It is a gem!"
- - The Sun Sentinel, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

"Mike and Lynne present the music of George and Ira Gershwin in an impassioned live performance which will move you to tears. Interspersed with the music is just the right amount of narration plus a little banter from this straight-to-your-heart husband and wife team. The music ranges from George’s first hit, Swanee, to his last composition, fittingly titled Love Is Here To Stay. And love is what Mike and Lynne invest in every note. Five stars."
- - George Fendel, Jazzscene

"Beyond category," It's been said of Duke. It is equally true of Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter. Jazz? Cabaret? Who cares! They are talented performers - Lynne on piano, Mike on bass, both on vocals-who cherish and understand the American Songbook. Here it's Gershwin: "Embraceable You," "Love is Here to Stay," "'S Wonderful." Gem after gem, with my favorites being the melding of "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Somebody Loves Me"and that glorious "Porgy and Bess." This live performance was recorded privately for an elderly friend who could not attend. We are fortunate that it has been issued. Listening to Lynne on piano is a workshop for accompanists!
- - Bill Falconer

"Heartwarming…a more loving tribute to Gershwin does not exist on my shelves."
- - Jim Gavin, Author of "Intimate Nights, The Golden Age of New York Cabaret"

"What a beautiful CD! Lynne and Mike capture the essence of these songs and both the vocals and instrumentals are great . . . a CD which will be appreciated by discriminating music lovers."
- - Barbara Carroll

"A memorable CD . . . endless enjoyment! I am so thrilled to have this landmark work of art. Your Gershwin concert is an oasis of classic beauty"
- - Phyllis Diller

"It's a beauty!"
- - Portia Nelson

". . . Among my very few favored singers. . . . Terrific singing and playing!"
- - Dave Frishberg

"Mike Palter and Lynne Jackson are tireless devotees of an era of songwriting that stressed good melody lines and sophisticated lyrics. . . . Both singers communicate a sincerity that goes straight to the heart."
-- George Fendel - Jazzscene Magazine

"The most striking vocal duo I have ever heard."
-- Chuck Berg - National Association of Jazz Educators

". . .sublimely listenable in any age, by any age."
-- Charles Champlin - Los Angeles Times

"There's a uncommon intimacy about the duo's performances, leaving one with the feeling of being serenaded in private." Mort Fega - The Palm Beach Post

". . . I love the way you both sing and the sensitivity you bring to your material."
-- Burton Lane

"Caviar!"
-- The Hollywood Reporter

"They are an American resource . . . They are spellbinders."
-- R.C. Smith - The Durham Morning Herald

"Between Mike and Lynne (IMHO), there is enough talent to fuel the fires of the recording industry for the next five years. . . . Mike reminds me a lot of Bobby Short, and Lynne's part Anita O'Day, part Carol Sloane, but the comparison really does them an both an injustice since for the most part they are original."
-- Joe Berg - The Frank Sinatra List Home Page