THE ESSENTIAL JOHN LABELLE

Professional, experienced and constantly in demand, this classy Canadian vocalist hails from Montreal, Canada. John Labelle has been performing for over 25 years at Five-Star venues, theatres and jazz festivals all around the

world including Shanghai, New York, Washington, Chicago, Hong Kong, Toronto, London as well as on board some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines.

John’s smooth as silk vocal style is often compared to Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick Jr. Critically acclaimed as one of the finest voices of the new millennium, elegant and to the point, his singing brings a new focus to a well-chosen

repertoire of American Jazz Classics. He has performed in front of an audience of 100,000 at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, five times, sharing the same stage as Tony Bennett, Diana Krall and Michael Bublé.

Direct from the Rat Pack inspired 'The Three Crooners' Theatre Show, John has since featured on the 2013 top-ten chart album ‘The Montreal Sessions’ with the North America Jazz Alliance on Challenge Records (Europe). He has a

catalogue of eight studio album releases including the latest 'Essential John Labelle - Dancing in the Dark’ a beautiful example of Labelle's range as a performer.

Achieving the highly sought after Male Vocalist of the Year Award (Jazz Report Magazine), John's recordings are

constantly heard on Jazz Radio throughout Canada, the U.S. and more recently Europe, including a full live concert televised across North America.

'The Essential John Labelle' showcases this award winning multi-talented singer-songwriter in

swingin’ fashion, as he explores the Great American Popular Songbook in a uniquely personal way. John Labelle takes his audiences on a musical journey exploring the greatest moments and unforgettable

personalities of the golden age of popular song.

Featuring some of the world’s most requested swingin’ hits of all time from the Rat Pack era; Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, as well as a number of his own self-penned hits from his award winning big

band album 'Don't Say No'.

With a second show that includes firm favourites and timeless classics from Vegas Legends; Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Andy Williams, Engelbert Humperdink, Barry Manilow, Tom Jones as well as cool and current

contemporary sounds of Michael Bublé, Sade and Rod Stewart. Dance or listen at your pleasure!

Singer John Labelle doesn't do things by

half. A first in the history of Canadian jazz,

he's recorded an album for big band -

‘Don't Say No’, made up entirely of original

compositions. Eschewing pyrotechnics,

Labelle prefers a sparser delivery,

articulate and very effective. His voice is

reminiscent of the vocal fabric of Sinatra:

in other words, it's a voice you don't forget

in a hurry. (Montreal Jazz Festival)

John Labelle - Rat Pack & Swing, Canadian Jazz Vocalist Direct from Montreal, Canada now based in Liverpool, England, for info & bookings please contact: www.johnlabelle.co.uk – UK Tel: 07503 756175 / 0151 286 2500 – Email: johnlabelle@hotmail.ca

JOHN LABELLE – SELECTED PERFORMANCES

‘The Essential John Labelle’ showcases this award winning multi-talented singer-songwriter in swingin’ fashion, as he explores the Great American Popular Songbook in a uniquely personal way. John Labelle takes his audiences on a musical journey exploring the greatest moments and unforgettable personalities of the golden age of popular song. Featuring some of the world’s most requested swingin’ hits of all time from the Rat Pack era; Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, as well as a number of his own self-penned hits from his award winning big band album ‘Don’t Say No’. Festivals Montreal International Jazz Festival (1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004)

Ottawa Jazz Festival Winnipeg Jazz Festival Montreal Fringe Festival Montreal International Fireworks Competition, with Montreal Jazz Big Band La Festival De Lanaudiere, with Montreal Jazz Big Band Montreal Club Soda Theatres Le Lion D'or Theatre, Montreal Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, Montreal The Pierre-Peladeau Centre, Montreal National Arts Centre, Ottawa Montreal Spectrum, with Jazz Beat All Star Vic Vogel Big Band Montreal Club Soda, with Montreal Jazz Big Band Cruise Ships & Hotels The Park Lane Hotel, Hong Kong (3 month contract) Cyprus Garden Hotel, Blues and Jazz Club, Shanghai Cunard Cruise Lines Color Line Cruises Fairmont Hotel, Montreal Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Montreal Montreal Casino TV & Radio Shows BBC Radio Merseyside, Liverpool, England COOL TV, Canada - In Concert with 'The Three Crooners' BET TV "Jazzy Vocals & Impressions" CBC Jazz Beat Radio Canada All Star Vic Vogel Big Band CBC Home Run CFCF 12 International TV TQS 35 International TV "Reddy Reddy Go SKY TV, UK, Cruising With The Stars

Jazz Venues Top O' The Senator,Toronto Upstairs Jazz Bar, Montreal House of Jazz, Montreal Biddle's Jazz, Montreal Smithsonian Jazz Café, Washington DC. Restaurants Modavie Jazz Restaurant, Montreal 1998 to 2011 Kaizan Sushi, Restaurant Montreal Ballroom Dance Events The Venue, Huyton Suite, Liverpool with the Strictly Dance Orchestra Woolton Ballroom Dance Club, Liverpool with the Strictly Dance Orchestra Whitby Ballroom Dance Club, Ellesmere Port with the Strictly Dance Orchestra Merseyside Big Band Night, Maghull, Merseyside

JOHN LABELLE - REVIEWS

“…he has panache, verve and no shortage of talent. John Labelle is THE REAL DEAL” COOL 99.1 FM

"When I listen to Labelle, I'm reminded of Sinatra. John has a wonderful flavour that swings. He also provides an enchanting atmosphere." BEN 'CASEY' SCOTT, WCLK, ATLANTA,GEORGIA "He's got all the right stuff: hip tunes, world-weary tenor croon, dramatic phrasing, insouciant patter, a band that swings high and grooves low..." Tom Terrell Jazz Times "Labelle is one of Canada’s BEST Crooners...he changes mood when it matters, letting the music breathe and melodies float on air...he handles interpretations of delightful warhorses with aplomb" Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star

“Labelle provides that extra mile. Smooth as a $100 bottle of Scotch” Mark Tucker, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange “What a voice!” CBC, Katie Malloch, CBC Jazz Beat "The reharm of "Dancing in the Dark" is a perfect showcase for vocalist John Labelle. The vocals of Labelle are stellar be it with phrasing, tone, inflection and an innate interpretation of vocal swing, John Labelle brings it every time!" Critical Jazz (2013) "With the release of 'I Get a Kick Out of You', which is his finest recording to date, John Labelle continues to delight his growing audiences with his heart-felt renditions of infectious classic songs, revitalizing vintage tunes, and living his musical dream." Scott Yanow, writer for Jazzizz & Los Angeles Jazz Scene Le Journal de Montreal gives John Labelle's Christmas Collection five out of five! "...an absolutely magnificent disk, that will make you smile and certainly take you back to childhood." Christopher Rodriquez, le Journal de Montreal, Montreal "A good Jazz singer is like an F-1 engine with lots of power but just idling. This is the case for Montreal's Labelle...His sensitive, tender ballads are a contrast to his excellent time on swinging tempos..." Planet Jazz

“...He bathes standards in soft, confident voicings. In true crooner fashion, Labelle lets the songs sing for themselves." Montreal International Jazz Festival “'If You See Her' is a fine debut album and John Labelle is a name to look out for. Labelle does what every great singer must do: take any song, old or new, and display all the musical and lyrical qualities, feelings and meanings with a fresh style and voice." Rapport Magazine, San Francisco "Carrying on the torch from other great crooners like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, Labelle digs deep to the roots of his idiom. Back phrasing, swing and ever present charisma are the hallmarks of his work, which spans the classic peers as one of the most genuine and stylistically 'in the pocket' jazz singers around" The Quartet, The Voice of Ottawa "John has one of the warmest and most sincere voices of the nineties; I'm honoured to be able to program his music" Ross Porter, CBC Radio II, After Hours "If you're a fan of John Labelle, this is for you. All the songs have been digitally re-mastered, they sound great! The tracks sound brand-new. Handpicked by John himself! A must for any music collection." Bill Johansen, Downbeat "After hearing album after album of standards, it's great to hear someone who can write and deliver new originals that will become our standards for tomorrow" Eric Gunner, WGMC Rochester, New York Congratulations goes to Montreal Jazz Vocalist Jean Labelle who has just signed a contract to record under the Jazz Inspiration label (Toronto) which is distributed by MCA Records Canada! He will now be recording under the name John Labelle. He was approached by a Jazz Inspiration representative after his outdoor concert at the 1995 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. But then again...it was only a matter of time before someone snapped him up! Jazz Vine "I think it's a great record. It is rare and unique to find a CD of all originals that will become standards. John Labelle should NOT be compared to Connick, Bennett, Tormé or Sinatra, but should take his place among them." Grace Parks, KCLU, Thousand Oaks, California

JOHN LABELLE – SONG LIST

Rat Pack & Swing Ain't That A Kick In The Head (Dean Martin) All The Way (Frank Sinatra) Bad Bad Leroy Brown (Frank Sinatra) Best Is Yet To Come (Bublé/Bennett/Sinatra) But Not For Me (Sammy Davis Jnr) Call Me Irresponsible (Bublé/Jack Jones) Cheek To Cheek (Fred Astaire) Chicago (Frank Sinatra) Coffee Song (Frank Sinatra) Come Dance With Me (Sinatra / Bublé) Come Fly With Me (Frank Sinatra) Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me (Frank Sinatra) Fly Me To The Moon (Frank Sinatra) Foggy Day (Michael Bublé) For Once In My Life (Frank Sinatra/Stevie Wonder) Gentle On My Mind (Dean Martin) Get Me To The Church (Frank Sinatra) Girl From Ipanema (Frank Sinatra) Have You Met Miss Jones (Robbie Williams) Hey There (Rosemary Clooney) I Get A Kick Out Of You (Frank Sinatra) I Only Have Eyes For You (Frank Sinatra) In The Still Of The Night (Bobby Darin) It Could Happen To You (Sammy Davis Jnr) It Had To Be You (Harry Connick Jnr) It Was A Very Good Year (Frank Sinatra) I've Got You Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra) La Mer / Beyond The Sea (Bobby Darin/Robbie Williams) Lady Is A Tramp (Ella Fitzgerald) Let Me Try Again (Frank Sinatra) Let There Be Love (Nat 'King' Cole) Let's Face The Music & Dance (Nat 'King' Cole) L-O-V-E (Nat King Cole/Michael Bublé) Mack The Knife (Bobby Darin / Ella Fitzgerald)

Making Whoopee (Frank Sinatra) Mambo Italiano (Dean Martin) Manhattan (Ella Fitzgerald) More (Bobby Darin) Mrs Robinson (Frank Sinatra) My Way (Frank Sinatra) New York, New York (Frank Sinatra) Nice and Easy ( Frank Sinatra) Nice Work If You Can Get It ( Frank Sinatra) Night And Day (Frank Sinatra) Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (Bobby Darin) Old Devil Moon (Frank Sinatra) Please Be Kind (Frank Sinatra) Ring A Ding Ding (Frank Sinatra) Satin Doll (Ella Fiztgerald) Straighten Up and Fly Right (Nat King Cole/Robbie Williams) Strangers In The Night (Frank Sinatra) Summer Wind (Frank Sinatra) Take The 'A' Train (Duke Ellington) That Old Black Magic (Frank Sinatra / Sammy Davis Jnr) That’s Amore (Dean Martin) That's Life (Frank Sinatra) They Can't Take That Away From Me (Various artists) Things (Bobby Darin/Robbie Williams) Thou Swell (Nat ‘King’ Cole) Volare (Dean Martin) Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra) We’ve Got A World That Swings (Sinatra / Bublé) What Now My Love? (Frank Sinatra) Who’s Sorry Now (various) Witchcraft (Frank Sinatra) You Do Something To Me (Frank Sinatra) You Make Me Feel So Young (Frank Sinatra) Your’e Nobody Until Somebody Loves You (Dean Martin)

John has a wide and varied repertoire, and unless hired to provide background music during a dinner or drink reception, the sets are generally lively and up-tempo featuring all the well known Rat Pack and swing songs that everyone will enjoy. As an accomplished award winning jazz singer-songwriter, John occasionally features some of his own compositions to add a personal touch to jazz bookings, and many are included in his theatre show. Fluently bilingual in English and French, John can sing or introduce his shows in French if required. Each event is different and John is happy to take requests. Just some of John’s repertoire are listed below:

JOHN LABELLE – SONG LIST

Latin & Mellow Sounds Always (Diana Krall) Are You Lonesome Tonight (Elvis Presley) Around The World (Nat ‘King’ Cole) As Time Goes By (from Casablanca) At Long Last Love (Cole Porter / Frank Sinatra) Autumn Leaves (Nat King Cole) Be My Love (Mario Lanza) Besamé Mucho (Andrea Bocelli / Diana Krall) Bewiched (Theme) Cry Me A River (Michael Bublé/Julie London) Desafinado (Stan Getz) Dreamer (Jobim) Fascination (Nat King Cole / Al Martino) From Russia With Love (Matt Munro) Gentle Rain (Louis Bonfa) Georgia (Ray Charles) Girl From Ipanema (Astrud Gilberto) I Left My Heart In San Francisco (Tony Bennett) I Wish You Love (Sinatra / Count Basie) I’ll Be Seeing You (Rod Stewart) I’m Glad There Is You (various) I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Fred Astaire) Isn’t It Romantic (Rod Stewart) It’s Impossible (Perry Como) London By Night (Matt Munro) Look of Love (Dusty Springfield) Love Scene (Tony Bennett) Meditation (Jobim) Misty (Johnny Mathis) Mona Lisa (Nat 'King' Cole) Moon River (Andy Williams) My Funny Valentine (Rod Stewart) Shadow Of Your Smile (Tony Bennett / Sinatra) Smack Dab In The Middle (Ray Charles) Smooth Operator (Sade) Something Stupid (Frank & Nancy Sinatra) Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Eva Cassidy) Summertime (Ella Fitzgerald) Tea For Two (Diana Krall) Tell Me All About Yourself (Nat ‘King’ Cole) The Nearness of You (Julie London/various) The Nearness Of You (Rod Stewart) There Is No Greater Love (Amy Winehouse) This Masquerade (George Benson) Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce) Unforgettable (Nat 'King'Cole) Walking My Baby Back Home (Natalie/Nat ‘King’ Cole) What A Difference A Day Made (Dinah Washington) What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong) When I Fall In Love (Nat 'King' Cole) Where Or When (Rod Stewart)

Pop & Vegas Legends Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Andy Williams) Copacabana (Barry Manilow) Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder) It's Not Unusual (Tom Jones) Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel) Just The Way You Look Tonight (Rod Stewart) Moondance (Van Morrison) Music To Watch Girls By (Andy Williams) Papa Loves Mambo (Perry Como) Quando Quando Quando (E Humperdinck) Rock and Roll Music (Chuck Berry / Beatles) Route 66 (Nat King Cole) Save The Last Dance For Me (Michael Bublé) Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond) Viva Las Vegas (Elvis Presley) When I Take My Sugar To Tea (Nat King Cole) You Are The Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder)

Christmas Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas I’ll Be Home For Christmas Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town We Wish You A Merry Christmas White Christmas Winter Wonderland

John Labelle Don’t Say No First Call I Love Her It’s So Lovely My Favorite Time Of Year (Christmas) Not This Time You’re Heart Isn’t In It Anymore

JOHN LABELLE – BIOGRAPHY

John Labelle was born in Montreal, Canada and has been a jazz fan for as long as he can remember. From an early age, he listened to the great big band vocalists, including Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney and Frank Sinatra, who would later become one of his greatest influences. John's smooth as silk vocals are often compared to Harry Connick Jr., Mel Tormé and Frank Sinatra. John has been performing as a professional singer for over 25 years. One of John’s first public performances was at the age of 19 at the famous Biddle’s Jazz Nightclub in Montreal. While working there John came into contact with many of Montreal’s top musicians, and quickly gained a good reputation on the Montreal jazz scene. While still in his teens John went on to secure a summer contract singing in a four-star golf and ski resort in Bromont, Quebec with more work to follow. In 1995, John produced his first album ‘If You See Her’ released on his own label. This recording of standards and one of his own original songs resulted in an invitation to perform at the 1995 Montreal International Jazz Festival, where he was heard by the President of Jazz Inspiration Records who immediately signed him to a recording contract. ‘If You See Her’ was re-released on the Jazz Inspiration label and distributed by MCA Canada. In 1997, John released his second album on the Jazz Inspiration label ‘Don’t Say No’ an album of widely praised original compositions. Produced by Radio Canada's Alain De Grosbois and featuring the arranging talents of New York's Bob Parsons, this recording and the tour that followed resulted in John being named 1998 Male Vocalist of The Year by Toronto’s The Jazz Report Magazine, a highly sought after Jazz award.

Beginning in 1996, John began a successful collaboration with guitarist Greg Clayton, and when not performing elsewhere John's dedication and love for his music, as well as the enthusiastic support of loyal fans, kept Labelle and Clayton performing six nights a week at the Modavie Jazz Bar and other venues in the Montreal area for the past fifteen years. With over 400 standard songs and over 2000 performances to date, Labelle and Clayton are well established favourites on the Montreal Jazz scene. John has performed numerous concerts throughout his career. For eight years he was the male vocalist with the Montreal Big Band. He has performed to audiences of 100,000 at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004, sharing the same stage as many legendary vocalists including Tony Bennett, Diana Krall and Michael Bublé. From 1998 to the present John has continued to hone his craft while touring on three continents. A few of his many shows and appearances have included performances in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Chicago, the Blue Note in New York and the Smithsonian Jazz Café in Washington, DC. More recently since 2011 John has been entertaining audiences around the world on some of the largest and most prestigious cruise ships. John’s recordings are constantly heard on Jazz Radio throughout Canada, the U.S. and more recently Europe. In 2003 after three years of preparation, John released his third CD album 'Too Close For Comfort' and the results speak for themselves. Critically acclaimed as one of the finest voices of the new millennium, elegant and to the point, his singing brings a new focus to a well-chosen repertoire of American Jazz Classics. A further two recordings followed with 'A Montreal Christmas Collection', featuring two new Labelle compositions sure to become Christmas standards, and 'I Get A Kick Out Of You' John's unique interpretations of many Rat Pack standards. John has appeared on many TV and Radio shows, including a live in-studio concert presented in full on COOL TV broadcast across North America to rave reviews. Direct from the Rat Pack Inspired 'The Three Crooners' Theatre Show, in promotion of the successful 'Here Come The Boys: A Canadian Crooner Collection' for Universal Music Canada, John has since featured on the 2013 top-ten chart album ‘The Montreal Sessions’ with the North America Jazz Alliance on Challenge Records (Europe). John's has eight studio album releases and continues to wow his audiences all around the world. In 2014 John released two new recordings including 'Love Should Swing' a collection of standards in John's inimitable style and the 'Best of John Labelle', both beautiful examples of Labelle's range as a performer.