Vocalist Jackie Ryan at Telluride Jazz Celebration, August 5 – 8

Jackie Ryan is widely regarded in inner circles of buffs and critics as one of the premier jazz singers out of North America, but one the general public is not well aware of. This despite reviews peppered with superlatives touting her “extravagant” range, both emotional and stylistic, her “sweeping vocal powers” laced with passion, her “savvy” vocalizing, her “magnetic” stage presence.

The cat is out of bag when Ms. Ryan steps onto the stage Saturday night, 9:30 p.m. at The Nugget and onto the Toshiko Akiyoshi Town Park Stage Sunday, 5 – 6 p.m.

Jackie was blessed with a three and a half octave range. Her mother, who was Mexican, crooned Spanish folk songs to her baby. Her father, who is Irish, is a classically-trained baritone who sang in several languages. So Jackie was hardwired to “bridge the gap between both geography and generations,” to quote Billboard.

The release of her newest CD, Doozy, #1 on jazz radio for seven weeks last year, reveals the breadth and range of the artist’s gifts. Jackie delivers soulful up close and personal ballads (you wish), sexy Brazilian bossa novas and boleros, sassy New Orleans style blues, hard-hitting bebop underlined by her own vocalese (the art of fitting lyrics to recorded instrumental jazz solos and ensemble passages) with a dexterity rarely seen outside the Cirque du Soleil.

To learn more about this world-class talent, click the “play” button and listen to Jackie Ryan’s interview.