Real Divas with Bill King's Rhythm Express

www.billkingmusic.com/realdivas.cfm

Talented women who can conjure the spirit of Peggy Lee, swing like Sinatra, touch the heart like Sarah Vaughan, and reach for the bright lights of Broadway like Barbara Streisand, the Real Divas bring to the stage four voices with distinct personalities that connect emotionally and entertain. Eight years ago, the multi-talented pianist, composer and publisher Bill King created the Diva Series at RDs Supper Club in Toronto. Over the years a host of talented women including Emilie-Claire Barlow, Jackie Richardson, Shakura S'Aida, Alex Pangman, Dawn Tyler Watson, Melissa Stylianou, Liberty Silver and a young Sophie Milman, have all performed as part of King’s Diva Series. This year, Real Divas are composed of talented jazz protégés Sophie Berkal-Sarbit and Lauren Margison, versatile vocalist Kinga Victoria, and dynamic and internationally renowned singer Josephine Biundo. While performing at music festivals over the past year, the talented quartet found time to record their debut – Café Society for the 7 Arts Entertainment label. Café Society is produced and arranged by Bill King and features a stellar cast of front-line Canadian Jazz musicians including Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson, Rob Somerville, William Spernadei, Mark Kelso, Sly Juhas, Duncan Hopkins, Jorge Torres and Bill King. Bill King’s own soul jazz unit, the Rhythm Express Band, accompanies Real Divas at the 2009 Beaches International Jazz Festival. King has worked with a host of legendary artists including the Pointer Sisters, Linda Ronstadt and Janis Joplin. He has also won 16 first-place awards in classical piano and clarinet competitions and is the artistic director and emcee for the Beaches International Jazz Festival.