Janet Seidel

Janet Seidel (28 May 1955 – 7 August 2017) was an Australian jazz vocalist and pianist. Seidel studied at the Elder Conservatorium at the University of Adelaide (BMusic, 1973-1976). She worked as a high school music teacher in South Australia and as a professional musician as a pianist and singer. From 1976 to 1980, she was an active member of the Adelaide Feminist Theatre Group. For their first show, The Carolina Chisel Show (1976), she wrote the piano arrangements. For the musical melodrama The Redheads' Revenge (1978), she wrote and arranged all the songs, conducted and played in the orchestra and was also involved in the writing, production and direction of the show. For the revue Out of the Frying Pan (1980), she wrote five original songs, collaborated with Judy Szekeres on the musical arrangement, played in the orchestra and was involved with the choreography.

I found this album completely by accident when I was looking up various renditions of Miami Beach Rhumba for a rehearsal. The track was actually on Youtube and piqued my interest enough to spring for the entire album. What a serendipity because I discovered what our friends Down Under already knew - Seidel is an amazing vocalist and pianist, and this album is a treasure trove of beautifully arranged music.

Born in Australia's bush country, Janet Seidel emerged as one of that country's leading cabaret and jazz vocalists. She appeared frequently at Australia's top jazz and hotel venues beginning in the early '80s, often working with bassist brother David Seidel. Janet Seidel also performed at jazz festivals in the U.S., working with such jazz notables as Harry Allen, Dan Barrett, Dave McKenna, and Michael Moore. Her first venture into cabaret came in 2000 when she put together and starred in Doris and Me, a tribute to Doris Day's singing career. Often working with saxophone player Tom Baker and with her brother, she has made numerous albums for the LaBrava label. Her double album The Way You Wear Your Hat was named vocal album of the year by Australia's national newspaper and was a finalist for the prestigious ARIA award. Her The Art of Lounge, Vol. 2 was similarly a finalist for that award for the AIRA Jazz Album of the Year.