Lea DeLaria 'The Live Smoke Sessions'

"My 2 previous jazz recordings were unusual, I mean as far as the modern jazz singer goes. There was no reinvention of standards. There was just creation which leapt forth fully formed from the head of Gil Goldstien, Matt Pierson and the eccentricity of the artist. Actually I find it embarrassing and somewhat intimidating to refer to myself as "Artist." I have always preferred chick singer with balls. I am not now nor have I ever been a pretty girl with a pleasant voice and as such I think it is safe to assume you will not find any of my recordings at Starbucks.

For this recording, my third, I felt it was time for little Lea to grow breasts and become a woman, time for me to take some musical charge. I became involved with the arrangements, song choice, players, even the sound... which I style on old school live recordings. It is my hope that this CD will take you back to 1948 and the Village Vanguard. So please let me invite you to mix a cocktail and enjoy a smoke while you sit back and soak up the swing. Because now that I have finally reinvented the standards, I want invention to be the mother of interpretation....................fuck I'm pretentious." Lea DeLaria