Hollywood, CA, December 2018 – Canadian professional figure skater turned accomplished singer Patrice Jégou recently recorded songs for her upcoming sophomore album, “If It Ain’t Love” at United Recording. Scheduled to be released March 2019, the album blends jazz and pop, comprising big band, orchestral arrangements, power ballads and a cappella adaptations.
As a trained classical mezzo-soprano, Jégou tapped five major arrangers for this project, including Jorge Calandrelli, John Clayton, Mark Kibble, David Paich and Mike Lang. She is also accompanied by some of the most sought-after studio musicians and ensembles in the music industry: Lang on piano and Rhodes, Kevin Axt on bass, John Robinson on drums, Larry Koonse and Michael Thompson on guitar, Luis Conte on percussion, Grammy-award winning a cappella group Take 6 and the inimitable Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
The album’s preview video showcases Jégou’s striking rendition of “Estate,” which she sings in its original Italian. The song was recorded and mixed by Don Murray and Al Schmitt and features a full orchestra that was arranged, conducted and produced by Oscar-nominee and Grammy Award-winner Jorge Calandrelli.
Calandrelli has worked with some of the world’s greatest artists including Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett. He recalled, “Working with Patrice has been a delight from the very beginning. She is an amazing artist and musician.”
Reflecting on the sessions at United Recording, Jégou commented, “Recording at United has been a thrilling experience, both professionally and personally. Furthermore, the staff went above and beyond to make me feel at ease, which truly enhanced the creative process.”
To view Jégou’s album preview video for “If It Ain’t Love,” please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl_tf7iYV3I
Pictured (L-R) in United Recording’s Studio B are Patrice Jégou, producer Yinka Oyelese, recording engineer Don Murray, keyboardist Mike Lang, and United staff engineer Scott Moore.
Photo and article by David Goggin.