Satin Doll Trio

Reviews

"a velvet voice like you wouldn't believe"

The Washington Post

O's Place Jazz Magazine

Satin Doll Trio - In the Middle of a Kiss 2006-11-13

Review: [Performance/Sound 5 high] O's Notes: Fred Ferris (b) and Ken Kilpatrick (g) back up the lovely Patrice Ferris (vocals) to make up the Satin Doll Trio. Patrice is out front and she is easily capable of handling the spotlight. The program is centered on romance with both serious and playful numbers like "There's A Lull In My Life" and "It's Only a Paper Moon" respectively. She has excellent tone and a pretty voice. Kilpatrick bounces along with single notes, chord melodies and cool rhythms while Fred is the anchor. The sound is very transparent and clean allowing the listener to absorb all of the nuances.

Reviewed by: D. Oscar Groomes
O's Place Jazz Magazine

Featured Artist: Satin Doll Trio

CD Title: I'm Glad There Is You (Romantic Jazz Classics)
Year: 2001
Record Label: SD Music
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Patrice Ferris (v), Fred Ferris (b), Ken Kilpatrick (g)

Review: "Supper Club Jazz" was the epitome of the lounge era. Although many chanteuses tried their hands at singing with the minimal accompaniment of guitar and bass, Julie London was the undisputed queen of "supper club jazz" in both voice and attitude. Listen to songs like "Black Coffee", "My Heart Belongs To Daddy", and "Nice Girls Don't Stay For Breakfast" and just feel the wanting, sexuality, and pre-60's feminism drip from the speakers of your stereo.

These days "supper club jazz" is almost as extinct as the clubs that inspired the music. If you search deep enough, you might find a group at a bistro that can give you a competent reading of "Misty" or "Come Rain or Come Shine". None that I've heard-I like fine dining-- come close to approximating the mastery of the Satin Doll Trio of Washington, D.C. The trio is a fixture in the finer restaurants and nightclubs of the District. But they've done their homework: paying homage to Ms. London, Sarah Vaughan, Blossom Dearie, and Carmen McRae without regressing into blatant mimicry. The result is a growing number of fans who long for a more relaxed era, and one critic in the Midwest who might have to pencil in a trip to D.C. to catch them.

"I'm Glad There Is You (Romantic Jazz Classics)" is the Trio's second release and it is masterful in creating a mood. Bassist Fred Ferris keeps the rhythms in a tight pocket, allowing guitarist Ken Kilpatrick to craft melody lines and inventive chord structures that would make Barney Kessel proud. But those two are the foundation for singer Patrice Ferris. She doesn't possess the breathy voice of Ms. London (that would require a lot of scotch and cigarettes), but Ms. Ferris' has a rich timbre that she utilizes when needed, and her phrasing on tracks like "Easy Street", "Nevertheless", and "Rock Me To Sleep" is spot-on and creative. The result is the breathing of new life into timeless classics. The songs unfold effortlessly and naturally; which is something sorely lacking in an age of instant gratification, where meals are more likely to be brown-bagged and hastily wolfed down during rush hour than savored over a perfect martini.

Reviewed by Charles Sudo

All About Jazz - June 12, 2007

PATRICE FERRIS GRACES THE COVER OF VOLUME V OF THE WORLD WHO'S WHO IN JAZZ, CABARET, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
New York-New York. The Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists (FAMSPA), officially announced this week in New York City that Ms. Patrice Ferris, lead vocalist of the Washington-based Satin Doll Trio has been selected to grace the front cover of "BEST MUSICIANS, SINGERS, ALBUMS AND ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITIES OF THE 19th, 20th AND 21st CENTURIES" (Volume V of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment) published by FAMSPA and TimesSquarePress.

The Book: Volume V is a massive book containing 7,000 names and entries, 60 chapters and 600 photos of stars and legends who made their mark on the world of music, showbiz and entertainment in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. It covers a wide array of subjects and themes including, the golden age of the brass bands, America's most famous instrumentalists and soloists, the history of recordings and live entertainment during the early days of radio, charts of the biggest hits and popular songs from 1880 to the present, international survey/poll on the 500 best and most famous singers of our time, history and stars biographies of the ragtime, cakewalk, Doo Wop and Jazz. A strong emphasis was placed on the contributions of great American women composers throughout the ages, and particularly those prolific female songwriters who were not allowed by a male dominated industry, to use their full names in the credits and on sheet music. Instead, only their initials were used. Equally interesting is the chapter on the life and unusual characters of colorful personalities and tycoons of the era who shaped and influenced music, recordings and the career of singers and musicians in America from 1880 to the present; influential people like Thomas Edison, P.T. Barnum, F. Ziegfeld. Even Houdini, Paul Gauguin, Anna Held and Mata Hari are included. Amusing and astonishing stories about the secret lives of the greatest singers and stars of the era as told by the legendary Tallulah Bankhead, creator of the NBC "BIG SHOW." ...

ABOUT PATRICE FERRIS: Carol Lexter associate editor of the World Who's Who said" Ms. Ferris was chosen to grace the front cover, because she has all the ingredients of a super duper diva. She has warmth, class and originality." Ms. Ferris was born in Honolulu Hawaii. She began her musical career by studying piano and flute at a young age but always loved to just sing. As vocalist for the Satin Doll Trio Patrice has appeared on the stages of the John F. Kennedy Centers' KC Jazz Club, the Corcoran Gallery's Armand Hammer Auditorium, Washington's prestigious Cosmos Club, and has made television appearances on the BET Jazz programs "Jazz Central", "Impressions", and on News Channel 8 WJLA Washington D.C. Patrice was recently featured on the cover of Washington Flyer magazine as the magazines pick for "Best In Show" in the Washington D.C. area. And most recently, Patrice Ferris was selected by FAMSPA as the best trio singer of 2007.

The Washington Post

THE SATIN DOLL TRIO "I'm Glad There Is You" SD Music

Friday, July 27, 2001; Page WE10

THE SATIN DOLL TRIO

"I'm Glad There Is You"

SD Music

Three proves a charm on the Satin Doll Trio's "I'm Glad There Is You," a CD inspired by the coziest recordings made by Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Julie London and Ella Fitzgerald.

This Washington-based jazz ensemble likes to keep things simple: just voice, guitar and bass, along with a thoroughly seductive blend of classic pop and jazz tunes. The vocals are unruffled, the arrangements are uncluttered, and the songs are uncommonly good.

Singer Patrice Ferris doesn't have the distinctive voice that her role models possessed in their prime -- who does? -- but she always places her considerable talent at the service of the song, making the words count and moods linger. In fact, it's hard to imagine any lyricist frowning on her interpretations, since there's not even a hint of self-infatuation or gratuitous embellishment here. Instead, Ferris lets these romantic refrains and delightful melodies take hold. As a result, her often dreamy, always engaging recitals are hard to resist, whether the lyric is playful ("Just Squeeze Me"), ruminative ("They Say It's Spring") or unapologetically bitter ("Cry Me a River").

Of course, it helps that Ferris is accompanied by two like-minded musicians -- guitarist Ken Kilpatrick and bassist Fred Ferris. Together, they weave a series of subdued and seamless arrangements that never fail to flatter the singer and the song.

-- Mike Joyce

Appearing Fridays at the Ritz-Carlton in Arlington, Mondays at Felix in Adams Morgan and Thursdays at LaPorta's in Alexandria. • To hear a free Sound Bite from the Satin Doll Trio, call Post-Haste at 202/334-9000 and press 8132. (Prince William residents, call 690-4110.)

The Washington Times

Satin Doll Trio plays smooth-as-silk jazz

June 21, 2001
METROPOLITAN LIFE
Edition: 2, Page: C5
Janine A. Zeitlin

They could quit their day jobs. The Satin Doll Trio is that good. But for now, the members of this D.C.-based jazz group - singer Patrice Ferris, husband and bassist Fred Ferris and guitarist Ken Kilpatrick - work on. Though as soon as a world tour comes along, Mr. Kilpatrick jokes, "We're outta there."

By day, they work with computers. Mrs. Ferris is a health care professional, Mr. Ferris an electrical engineer and Mr. Kilpatrick a computer programmer for an insurance company. But as night falls, they bolt from their offices, ditch their workday duds and come together as the Satin Doll Trio.

The trio, named for the Duke Ellington song, "Satin Doll," plays four nights a week in D.C.-area restaurants. (Mr. Ellington was a D.C. native.) To call them throwbacks would be a compliment. They play only "after-hours" jazz, a style made popular in late-night clubs in the 1940s and 1950s. Since their start, four years back, they have played the Kennedy Center and the Corcoran Gallery of Art and have appeared on BET on Jazz, a cable jazz channel.

Each Wednesday, they rehearse at the Ferrises' home in Silver Spring. Between gigs and re-hearsals, the trio is "always together," says Mr. Kilpatrick of Rockville, "to the point that I take out the garbage at their place."

Despite their 9 a.m. to midnight hours, the trio wouldn't trade their tough schedule.

"It's actually relaxing, a kind of release," Mrs. Ferris says. "It's a left-brain, right-brain thing."

On a recent Friday night in the lounge of the Ritz-Carlton at Pentagon City, Mrs. Ferris, 36, rushes into the room rich in scandal. (In this room, Monica Lewinsky was recorded by investigators.) It's cocktail hour. She is all dolled up: glasses off and rose-colored lipstick on.

Her ankle-length black dress glitters as she moves. Mr. Ferris, 52, and Mr. Kilpatrick, 48, warm up. Both in black tuxedos, with their dark hair combed back, they look like brothers.

Mrs. Ferris steps to the microphone in front of the group of about 25 tourists and businesspeople. Her voice is confident and smooth, but she seems meek in her dance moves. Mr. Ferris plucks the bass. He is the heart of the group, musically and artistically. He books the shows and speaks for the group. The quietest member off-stage, Mr. Kilpatrick, exudes the most passion on stage. Eyes closed, he taps his foot and slaps his thigh to the beat.

Their songs include lesser-known tunes such as "Moonlight Saving Time" and classics such as "They Can't Take That Away from Me." Mr. Ferris calls them "gems from the period."

Their act avoids improvisations and modern twists. Instead, they strive to recreate songs. Hearing them is like dusting off an old jazz record and listening to the real thing.

"We play it like it was," Mrs. Ferris says. "We try to create the same scene."

Yet the fancy lounges and res-taurants they play are a far cry from the smoky, basement bars where "after hours jazz" flourished. They admit the setting has changed, but insist the intimacy with the audience has not. Besides, there's only so much smoke and grime one can take.

"Ken and I were sick of coming home late at night and playing in loud and smoky places," says Mr. Ferris, who played with Mr. Kilpatrick in local rock bands before the trio formed. "We thought maybe if we did this we could get a gig. And next thing you know . . ."

Next thing you know, they're at the Ritz-Carlton, where they have been playing for three years.

A hotel lounge is tough to play. A toddler scampers in front of the band. Tourists chat loudly about their latest adventures as they chomp on $11 imported cheeses. Though their attention is divided, most people tap their feet. Some people, such as Michael Aguilar and Pat Harrington, sit mesmerized.

"This is my Friday night. I don't even have to ask for my Kamikaze," says Mr. Aguilar, 47, a software engineer from Alexandria. "Where can you find music like this?" He discovered the trio a year ago and has been a fan ever since.

Mr. Aguilar sits at a tiny table with Miss Harrington, 48, an environmental consultant from Falls Church. The two met last month while watching the trio. Now they are "smitten" with each other, says Mr. Aguilar, gazing at Miss Harrington.

Sipping a coffee, Miss Harrington appreciates the mellow atmosphere. The light from a candle flickers on her face.

"It's great to come and relax," Miss Harrington says. "It's hard to find a place like this, at least for the 35-plus crowd."

The Satin Doll Trio is not trying to attract a crowd with modernized music. Yet there is one thing they do try to borrow from modern bands: energy.

"We take old songs and play with it the same energy as a group like Limp Bizkit," Mr. Ferris says. "Well," he rethinks the comparison with the popular, foul-mouthed rockers. "Maybe not Limp Bizkit."

"No, definitely, not Limp Bizkit," his wife says.

Some music is best left un-touched. And that's just the way the Satin Doll Trio likes to play it.

The trio appears at Felix in the District on Monday nights and at Laporta's in Alexandria on Thursdays. Friday and Saturday nights, the group is at the Ritz-Carlton lounge in Pentagon City. For performance details, call 301/588-3504 or visit www.satindolltrio.com.