Paulette Dozier is a publicity client of Kari-On Productions Publicity Services

Paulette Dozier
paulettedozier.com

Accolade Highlights

Adolf Goriup, Rambles
Brilliant medley "Groovin' with Marvin," by far one of my favorites on the CD. The title song, the only totally self-made song on the album, is a beautiful and melancholic ballad. The recording succeeds quite well. a nice collection of jazz standards brought forward flawlessly -- and I like it.

Doug Boynton, Girl Singers.org
Ms. Dozier would appear to be one of those who does a little of this, and a little of that. Model, voice-over artist, businesswoman. Oh, yes - and singer, who's more than worth a listen. Sultry, powerful. With ballads - backed by just a piano ("Nature Boy") or guitar ("Ode To Billie And Freddy"), Ms. Dozier is at her best, in my estimation. Her turn of the Bacharach-David classic, "Alife" is superb. With a full combo, her powerful voice more than holds its own - her theatrical training clearly shows. I'd love to hear her relax a little, and have more fun on the toe-tappers. But if this is cabaret, and I think it is - it's got strong roots in several other genres, including jazz,
R-and-B, and the music I grew up with in Motown. The medley "Groovin' with Marvin" includes "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing," along with "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You." It's a highlight of this disc for me. Ed Calle's Tenor Sax adds a lot to Ms. Dozier's fine performance on "Walk On By." All of the backing combo is outstanding. Michael Levine produced and arranged most of the tracks - and plays piano. Good stuff. She may be very good at those other professions, but she's quit-your-day-job good as a singer.

Narvy James, Jazz USA
Simply put, this is a very good album. With familiar 'singer' songs like the always smoking "Fever" and Issac Hayes soul-classic "Walk On By", Paulette shows that her range can cover a lot of ground. Her style is very articulate and controlled, reminiscent of some of Dionne Warwick's early work with Burt Bacharach. In fact, she even sounds somewhat like Dionne. That is probably the inspiration for her gripping rendition of the Warwick/Bacharach classic "Alfie". Despite the obvious Warwickian traits (or maybe because of them), Paulette manages to pull the whole thing off with style and flavor. Other classics include "Ode to Billy and Freddy" and one of my favorites, "Nature Boy". Keep an eye out for this chanteuse.

Willard Jenkins, Open Sky
Ms. Dozier is a singer blessed with admirable diction and relaxed phrasing. She's coquettish where necessary, finely controlled and never over-the-top American Idol style. There is a certain comfort level with the material, and we all know these songs, starting with her clever melding of Marvin Gaye classics she calls "Groovin' with Marvin." But she serves up the chestnuts with assured warmth and classy arrangements.

J Sin, Smother Magazine
Vocal jazz is a style that has been around for decades. It’s been perfected, nuanced, and delivered differently many times over. Paulette’s voice is deep, sexy, and steady.

Michael Coyle, Cadence Magazine
Dozier's voice is a warm alto, expressive, and flaring every once in awhile in alittle Ruth Brown-like breaks. Dozier's phrasing is intelligent, and she interprets rather than just delivers songs. The first four tracks are all killer. That Track two is a tribute to Marvine Gaye doesn't mean that Dozier is singing only for the aging, nostalgic-for-classic-soul crowd. The track opens with a big, swinging sound that could easily lead into a pop treatment, but Dozier keeps it real, using the medley format to occasion surprise. For instance, the aforementioned opening is the chorus of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," but when the chorus subsides into the verse things quiet down -in one snap of the fingers-and suddenly we're listening to "How Sweet It Is." Cleverly done and I say so as someone who ordinarliy finds medleys annoyingly superficial. "Fever" is custom-made for a husky voice like Dozier's.

Carmel DeSoto, Jazz Police
Dozier’s release With You, is a culmination of the experiences and multi-facet’s this seasoned performer brings to the release. With You begins with a foot tappin’ version of “Only You.” Dozier’s organically jazz driven alto voice rhythmically nails this up-tempo driving bass lined standard, with an adornment of finely articulated scatting that ties the cut into a fitting jazz tribute. We then travel down the R&B over toned trail of “Groovin with Marvin,” a medley of “Ain’t Nothing like the Real Thing” and “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You,” Dozier’s infectious energy comes through with shining enthusiasm. Dozier’s sassy vocal style is emblazoned by pianist Michael Levine’s short and poignant rhythmic phrases on the classic cut “Fever. “ Dozier continues the journey with rich timbre and unrestrained abandonment. A touch of soul continues throughout the disc keeping the freshness of the disc in tact. Two classic Bacharach tunes are highlighted on the disc; “Alfie” and “Walk on By.” Dozier clearly imprints her jazzier style on both tracks. “Walk on By,” the closer is delivered in an up-tempo format with horns and a prancing rhythm that takes us through mood changes and an optimistic message of self assuredness is the message Dozier exudes on this cut. With You, is the perfect addition for the listener who enjoys a full circle of classic jazz, soul and R&B jazz flavored cuts. Dozier is an impeccable stylist who conveys the ability to shift from mood to mood with technique and overdrive. Dozier is high gear, take With You for a spin!

H. Allen Williams, Jazzreview
Paulette Dozier is a multi-talented entertainer, able to convincingly wear many hats without losing focus and most importantly the integrity of each role that is required by the hat. Dozier’s hat rack consist of: jazz vocalist, actress, model, voiceover performer, and pageant coach. Dozier, brandishing a jazz vocalist hat that is straight from the 1940s and garnished with contemporary accents, has compiled a mixture of eight well known standards and two originals to comprise a new release entitled, With You. The production and flow of the CD is very enjoyable. Dozier has a wide array of instrumentations and styles to keep the journey fresh and entertaining. Throughout the project Dozier conveys a sense of joy and enthusiasm that is contagious to the listener. A tip of the hat is in order to Dozier and her versatility in the entertainment industry, which culminates on With You. This is a very enjoyable vocal jazz release that is sure to please any music lover, jazz aficionado to Rhythm and Blues listeners alike.

Scott Yanow, All Music Guide (AMG)
3 1/2 Stars
Ms. Dozier has a soulful style that is both jazz-oriented and melodic. Backed in settings ranging from a solo guitar to a septet, she performs both standards and originals. Of the latter, "Ode To Billie And Freddy" (for Billie Holiday and a friend who died prematurely) is quite emotional and based musically on "Strange Fruit." She shows on "Walk On By" that she can sing superior pop although jazz is clearly her main musical interest.

Nicholas Sheffo, Fulvue Drive-In
Paulette Dozier is a Jazz singer whose phrasing is deeply in the traditional phrasing (scatting, unusual time signatures) of the genre. She can definitely sing and has an interesting voice. Miss Dozier is being very bold and ambitious.

John Gilbert, Ejazz News
4 Stars
Jason Carder sneaks in a bit of Snookie Young in his trumpet solo on "How Sweet It Is" and Paulette Dozier swings this tune like it was meant to be. "Just In Time" is the best tune on this album. Dozier brightens things up along with the pianistic endeavors of Michael Levine who gently prods the ear with a brief but enjoyable message. Dozier finishes things up on a high note. Paulette Dozier is a fine singer with a superb group and when you put those two things together it works just as smoothly as cashmere feels Look out for Michael Levine, he can play those ivories.

Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Vocalist Paulette Dozier's presentation is impeccable. The CD cover and booklet photography reveal a well-turned-out lady: stylishly dressed, tastefully glamorous, perfectly coiffed, a picture of sophistication. Those images are truth in advertising with Dozier's music, and it just seems fitting that a woman who looks that way puts out such a polished and sophisticated musical effort on With You. The disc opens with the standard “Only You,” starting out with a drum shuffle behind a bouncing bass line. Dozier and the band work in an uptempo mode, the vocalist freshening the tune with her rich timbre and exuberant scatting, plus a touch of soul. Maybe more than a touch, which brings us to “Groovin' with Marvin,” a combination of two great '60's Motown tunes made famous by Marvin Gaye, “Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing” and “How Sweet it Is.” The hybrid is brightly arranged, shifting between the tunes with the smooth flow of a well-lubricated transmission going from high gear to overdrive and back again. Dozier's take on the much-covered “Fever” feels less dark-hued than most; while the vocalist's delivery seems underlaid with an unshakeable inner strength like Carmen McRae's, it also feels optimistic and forthrightly buoyant, even when laying a case for ”Fever.” Burt Bacharach tunes don't get covered enough in jazz, but Dozier does her part to remedy that situation with her covers of “Alfie” and “Walk On By,” making them both her own, showcasing her burnished ballad vocals on the former, backed by the spareness of a piano trio, and a more freewheeling, jazzier delivery with horns on the uptempo “Walk On By.”

Singer and Musician Magazine
Her theatrical background comes through strong on this CD as she fills her interpretations with a vocal animation that puts you right in the front row. Great voice, terrific band, very enjoyable.

Karl Stober, Ejazz News
Paulette Dozier is coated with promise and sultry tones as is evident in her self released project With You. Ms. Dozier displays a fine range with the feel that is required to inject worthy jazz to the masses. “Ode To Billie and Freddy” is one heartfelt jazz ballad that captures some very fine tones and moods. This is one of the most worthy spins on this disc.