CAROL WELSMAN is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist who has captivated audiences worldwide with her expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence. With over 50,000 CDs sold in Canada alone, few Jazz artists have experienced this level of success. Carol was voted Vocalist of the Year at the 2002 National Jazz Awards in Canada, a people’s choice award.

Fluent in English, French and Italian, Carol blends languages and rhythms with a versatile repertoire including swing, Latin, R&B, pop and jazz. She delivers a mix of great standards and original compositions in a style that ranges from sensuous and warm to infectiously energetic. An elegant and sophisticated performer, this six foot blonde beauty exudes confidence and charm and delights fellow musicians and audiences alike.

Music is in her soul. Being the granddaughter of the founder of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, exposed her to diverse musical influences throughout her life. Her passion for jazz led her to Boston's Berklee College of Music in 1979, where she majored in piano performance. Travelling to Europe, she studied voice with Christiane Legrand (sister of Michel) and, in Paris, met Romano Musumarra (producer/songwriter for Celine Dion, Jeanne Mas and Princess Stephanie of Monaco). Working with Musumarra, she expanded her musical capabilities and focused on song writing, lyrics and production. She became the English lyricist for Musumarra's compositions, including two, No. 1 hit singles on Dana Dawson's New York/Paris CD and the Ray Charles 1995 recording, Out of my Life.

In 1990, she returned to Toronto with a wealth of knowledge and experience. She started her own music production company and record label (Welcar Music) and launched a serious career as a performer. Since then, she has received rave reviews and has performed in Indonesia, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Barbados and across Canada and the United States. Her first CD entitled, Carol Welsman - Lucky To Be Me, received a ‘96 Juno Award nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and earned Carol the award for Best Female Jazz Vocalist of the Year (1996) by Jazz Report Magazine. Her second CD, Inclined, was so successful, it attracted Justin Time Records to sign her for Canadian license and garnered another Juno Award nomination.

Her 1999 CD, Swing Ladies Swing, A Tribute to the Singers of the Swing Era, features Carol performing with her quartet and an entire 40-piece Symphony Orchestra. It is a heartfelt dedication to her grandfather, Frank S. Welsman, founder and first conductor of The Toronto Symphony. The CD showcases Carol's vocal magic as she performs the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee and many others. Since the CD's release, she has performed four concerts at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto with the Toronto Symphony and also concerts with the Winnipeg Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, and with the National Arts Center Orchestra at the 2000 Ottawa Jazz Festival. Swing Ladies Swing also earned Carol a Juno nomination for Best Female Jazz Vocalist 2000.

Her numerous Carol Welsman & Friends concerts have featured some of Canada's most noted musicians such as Peter Appleyard, Guido Basso and Don Thompson. She received an invitation to perform with internationally acclaimed jazz pianist, George Shearing. Co-hosting and performing at the 2000 Billboard Jazz Awards with legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock on BET introduced Carol to the U.S. jazz audiences. She has performed for such public personalities as former President Bill Clinton and singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot.

Carol’s career has hit a new high with the release of her new CD “Hold Me” on June 5, 2001 on BMG Canada. It has also been released on BMG International it in most of Europe. Produced by Ronnie Foster and George Butler, “Hold Me” is an exciting smooth jazz format. Recent highlights include Carol co-hosting the 2000 Billboard Jazz Awards with legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock on BET. She has headlined at the Montreal Jazz Festival several times, and received rave reviews from both French and English press. 

With three Juno Award nominations garnered for three CDs, audiences and fellow musicians agree, Carol is an extraordinarily talented musician and one of Canada's finest vocalists and pianists.

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