ALYSHA UMPHRESS,
“HILDY” IN THE 2014 BROADWAY REVIVAL OF ON THE TOWN,
COLLABORATES WITH TONY-NOMINATED SONGWRITER JEFF BLUMENKRANTZ 
ON A CD OF HIS ORIGINAL JAZZ SONGS AND ARRANGEMENTS

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT ITUNES

AMAZON MP3 DOWNLOAD 

OR AMAZON CD!

DOWNLOAD THE PDF BOOKLET FOR THE CD HERE!

Reviews for I’ve Been Played: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz

“…the chemistry between Umphress’s phenomenal voice and Blumenkrantz’s savvy music is truly remarkable.”

“Boasting a brassy, sassy, dramatic-mezzo, Umphress has one of those rare instruments that can conquer any genre of music… [she] shapes the tone and timbre of her voice to perfectly serve the tone and essence of each lyric she’s bringing to life… with an insouciant ease that’s as disarming as it is dazzling.”

“Blumenkrantz’s songs are carefully crafted gems… all sparkling winners that sound like classics in the American Songbook canon…”

“…I’ve Been Played: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz will easily be one of the best new albums of the year.” — David Hurst, New York Arts Review

“…it’s swell how Alysha Umphress joins her jazzy and juicy vocal pizzazz to songwriter/arranger Jeff Blumenkrantz’s inventive and eclectic work. Indeed, the album serves as a showcase for both artists’ versatility, and they make a cozy team. “Disarming” is the word that leaps to mind, as the lighthearted numbers are unpretentiously joyful and the serious tracks are treated with a believable directness.”

“While the grace of the sweeter, unguarded sides of Alysha—and Jeff’s conversational unpretentious style—are what really gets to me, there’s no doubt that the lady’s jubilant and snazzy persona still shines brightly as a major attraction. But whether it’s the unleashed genuine emotion that appeals to you or the energetic pow of the lady who might as well be named Ooomph-ress, there are many reasons why I’ve Been Played will be played many times by those of us who like personality and a point of view pouring out of our speakers.” – Rob Lester, Talkin’ Broadway: Sound Advice

“…each of Jeff Blumenkrantz’s original compositions and his arrangements of classics will have you dancing around your living room, snapping your fingers on your daily commutes, and grinning from ear to ear. His up-tempo and upbeat music radiates happiness and joy, filling the soul and heart with mirthful warmth.”
“The star of the album is Alysha Umphress’ wondrous and sparkling alto instrument. Across the recording her voice is sweet, landing on each pitch with a balanced and soft caress. She truly delights on each track…” — David Clarke, Broadway World

Reviews for Ms. Umphress in On the Town:

“red-hot mama with bebop gusto” (Brantley – New York Times)

“brassy-adorable” (Gardner – USA Today)

“powerhouse”(Feldberg – The Record)

“killer vocal pyrotechnics” (Gordon – Theatermania)

“(her) jazz inflections are worthy of her own show at 54 Below or another such venue” (Wexler – The Broadway Blog)

TRACK LIST 

1. Two Cents (Jeff Blumenkrantz)

2. Why Can’t I Kiss You? (Jeff Blumenkrantz)

3. I Don’t Need Anything But You (Martin Charnin, Charles Strouse)

4. I’ve Been Played (Jeff Blumenkrantz)

5. Mayday! M’Aider! (Jeff Blumenkrantz)

6. Time Does Not Bring Relief (Edna St. Vincent Millay, Jeff Blumenkrantz)

7. Celebrate (Jeff Blumenkrantz)

8. Steal Away (Jeff Blumenkrantz)

9. Spring Is Here (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers)/ Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most (Fran Landesman, Tommy Wolf)

10. Man in the Moon (Jeff Blumenkrantz)

11. You Are Never Away/Ten Minutes Ago (Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers)

12. Giving Thanks (Jeff Blumenkrantz)

13. You Smell So Good (Tommy Wolf, Harry Stone)

Check out these interviews/features:

THE KITCHEN CONCERTS: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz

BROADWAY WORLD Interview: Jeff Blumenkrantz Discusses Upcoming Jazz Album Featuring Alysha Umphress!
HUFFINGTON POST: Broadway’s Alysha Umphress Teams Up With Jeff Blumenkrantz For ‘I’ve Been Played’ Album
NEW YORK MAGAZINE To Do List
BROADWAY RADIO: This Week on Broadway for December 21, 2014: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz

PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: Alysha Umphress and Jeff Blumenkrantz Pick Their Jazz Favorites

And these reviews:

NEW YORK ARTS REVIEW: Alysha Umphress & Jeff Blumenkrantz ★★★★★

TALKIN’ BROADWAY Sound Advice:  I’VE BEEN PLAYED: ALYSHA UMPHRESS SWINGS JEFF BLUMENKRANTZ 
BROADWAYWORLD CD Reviews: I’VE BEEN PLAYED: ALYSHA UMPHRESS SWINGS JEFF BLUMENKRANTZ is Effervescing and Lovely

BROADWAY BOX

And this coverage of our release concert:

BROADWAY WORLD Photo Flash: Alysha Umphress & Jeff Blumenkrantz Play Birdland

Alysha Umphress starred on Broadway as “Hildy” in the acclaimed 2014 revival of On the Town. Her other Broadway credits include American Idiot, On a Clear Day…, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Bring It On. Regionally, she appeared as Cee Cee Bloom in the world premiere of Beaches, the musical, at The Signature Theatre. Known in the Broadway community for her incredible vocals, this CD marks her debut solo studio recording.

Jeff Blumenkrantz received a Best Score Tony nomination for Urban Cowboy, the musical. His songs have been recorded by Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Rebecca Luker, Victoria Clark, Megan Mullally and more. As a performer, he most recently appeared on Broadway as “Daryl” in Bright Star and as “The Suspects” in the Off-Broadway musical, Murder for Two. His performing credits also include the Broadway productions of Into the Woods, Threepenny Opera, Damn Yankees, How to Succeed in Business…, and A Class Act, as well as the PBS-televised concert of Candide and Sweeney Todd with The New York Philharmonic.