Interview with Naima Shamborguer


Q: You've told me in our first interview that From My Heart To Yours is your dream project. Is it still your dream project after you've finished it? Because sometimes odd things happen when you do something you really long to do.

Naima Shamborguer: From My Heart To Yours started out as my dream project and has ended up as my dream project even larger than life. It took a little longer than planned to record, but haste makes waste, we took our time and the outcome is above measure. I'm very pleased with From My Heart To Yours.

Q: Please tell me something about the recording sessions and its memorable moments.

Naima Shamborguer: The recording sessions were done at The Live Wire Studio in Southfield Michigan. The Studio sits in an area with a creek running behind the building. I recorded looking out of a huge glass window at the beautiful trees and creek. The atmosphere of this studio is awesome. The memorable moments were the night that the horns came in to record. Trumpeter, Dwight Adams came in and augmented Smile only two takes. It was beautiful. Then George Benson (Sax Man Benson) added his horn to Fuchsia Mood, only two takes and When October Goes one take, we were Screaming, it was great. Then Wendell Harrison, clarinet, George Benson and Dwight Adams added the horns to If You Could See Me Now. We were at a concert then. Unbelievable.
Then Steve Turre Flew in from New York for a Weekend. We recorded The Nearness Of You one take. We also worked that weekend at Baker's Keyboard Lounge the oldest jazz club in the world and we performed on a radio broadcast some of the tunes From My Heart To Yours and Steve performed some of his music and included the shells that he is so well known for mastering. What a great time.

Q: You've recorded two songs with George Benson (Fuchsia Mood, for which you've written the lyrics, and If You Could See Me Now). Please tell me how you've met George and what was it like working with him.

Naima Shamborguer: George Benson is one of Detroit's leading saxophone players. His tune Fuchsia Mood has been a favorite with the audiences here for years. So I asked him if I could write some lyrics? He said yes. We have worked together in big bands and small groups for years. He is a great person to work with and a wonderful talented human being. He's a crowed pleaser.

Q: Please tell me why you've chosen the songs on the album and what they mean to you.

Naima Shamborguer: I chose the songs on the CD because they are standards first, love songs next and life songs last. For example, Smile it a song of caring, love and encouragement. Makes me cry. Send In The Clowns It's just a beautiful song, and I'll always remember Sarah Vaughan at her last concert when she sang it. She glorified it. Sure Thing, my friends George and Alma Hill were amongst my most loyal fans. Alma passed away on their twenty-fifth anniversary honeymoon. Sure Thing was their favorite song. Nearness Of You has always been one of my favorites and also one of Steve Turre's favorites so I found out. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life is a song from the heart that is deeply soulful. Legrande and Berman had to be lovers of love and life. The flavor that Mahindi Masi added along with the trio, Buddy Budson, Marion Hayden and Bert Myrick is a groove. That same flavor is in, In The Still Of The Night. Here's To Life, is a song of life, the lyrics are wonderful. Phyllis Molinary thanked me for doing her song proud. The song is a mature story that many can relate too, if they have lived. I must add that this CD without arranger, conductor Buddy Budson would not have been what it is without the arrangements for strings and horns for all the tunes except Lush Life which was deftly arranged and performed by Akua Dixon and the Akua Dixon String Ensemble from New York City. Detroit Free Press Writer Mark Stryker says, Bassist Marion Hayden and drummer Bert Myrick, lay down the red carpet.

Q: On From My Heart To Yours you've used two different string sections. I really have no idea about the prices one has to pay for studio time, musicians and so on but I guess engaging a string section can become really expensive.

Naima Shamborguer: The string quartet for Smile, Here's To Life, Send In The Clowns and Sure Thing are from Detroit. The augmentation is lovely. Lets say that I cried a lot during this project (smile). Strings are expensive.

Q: I'll Be Seeing You is a duet with Don Revels. Why did you record this song as a duet and how did you met Don and what was it like to work with him.

Naima Shamborguer: I did I'll Be Seeing You as a tribute to Ray Charles. His recording of that tune is beautiful and a duet came to mind when I thought of how I could include my friend Don Revels who has the flavor of sweetness of a male voice who understands the tune. Wendell Harrison also adds a soulful old school feeling, which is great. Wendell Harrison is a Michigan Jazz Master and his performance on I'll Be Seeing You was done in one take no breaks. His playing on the night that the horns recorded was spritual.
Don and I met when we were singing in a group. We've been friends ever since. He's busy but I tracked him down.

Q: When will there be a revamped website with extended bio, discography, gallery etc?

Naima Shamborguer: My website is being revamped and should be ready in the very near future.

For more infos visit cdbaby.com, naima.mybesthost.com, read my review of From My Heart To Yours, A Blossom Sings and my previous interview with Naima.