News and Reviews
For more reviews of Sam’s newest CD, Let’s Go, visit
New CD with Tuck & Patti page.
Sam’s interview on After Hours with Rick Kogan on WGN Radio. Listen here
Sam's appearance on WGN Midday News with Tuck & Patti. Watch here
Sam’s Appearance on WKUMD Radio with Tuck & Patti. Listen here
Sam featured in Fra Noi Magazine. Read here
Sam featured in Chicago Social Magazine. Read here
“Let’s Go is Fazio’s most cohesive and mature work to date. On it he has finally forged an individual style and a personal approach. These, together with his superb artistry, make this record highly enjoyable.” Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine
Read here
“Fazio is a revelation; his vocalastics are low-toned and delivered with just a hint of raw silk in its texture. In Fazio we have a modern day troubadour who splits his vocals between the story and the art of delivering it to us. This is a rather rare combination and it separates him from most singers of his generation who seem to want to dazzle far too much with diabolical ornamentation such as scatting and other devices and gestures. Fazio, on the other hand, relies on his tone and manner, which recalls the golden age of vocalists.” Raul da Gama, JazzdaGama
Read here
Concert in Orland Park highlighted in the Chicago Tribune Southtown
Empire Room Legends Show showcased on Broadway World Chicago
Article about Sinatra Show at Metropolis featured in Chicago Tribune
Read here
Sam highlighted as Hot Clip of the Day at BroadwayBox.com
Swingin' Thru the Holidays named one of the best jazz holiday albums
Howard Reich, jazz critic of Chicago Tribune
Great review of Swingin' thru the Holidays in Chicago Jazz Magazine
Sam was recently featured in an article by Rick Kogan in the Chicago Tribune
"Sam Fazio is an entertainer of stage charm and personality who bridges generations with his performances showcasing great songs from both now and then. With a flash of a smile, his is a true talent that never disappoints audiences."
Philip Potempa, daily entertainment columnist
The Times Newspaper of Indiana and Illinois/Lee Media Newspapers
Sam's performance on NYE in the historic Empire Room of the Palmer House was featured in the NWI Times.
Click here to read the full article
Sam and his holiday CD were featured in the Culture Spotlight of Michigan Avenue Magazine
Click here to read the article
“Everything about Sam Fazio’s show at 54 Below was pleasant: His strong voice has a pleasant rasp at its edges; his program consisted of pleasant, well-known songs, best remembered through recordings by such classic singers as Al Jolson, Shirley Bassey, Elton John, Barbra Streisand and Billy Joel. He began with “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” (Berlin), that old saloon chestnut. It still works. He did well on such songs as “I Love a Piano” (Berlin) and a Broadway medley that ended with “Hello, Dolly!” (Herman). His soothing “New York State of Mind” (Billy Joel) was a nice way to thank his New York City audience.”
Joel Benjamin, Cabaret Scenes
"Chicago based Sam Fazio brought his swinging sophisticated vocals into New York City's legendary Le Cirque,and it was a welcome addition to the Cafe's Musical offerings"
Stephen Sorokoff, Broadwayworld & Times Square Chronicles
"While many contemporary jazz vocalists use the Great American Songbook as a canvas for harmonic and rhythmic puzzles, it can be a breath of fresh air to hear an album that pays homage to the birth of these beautiful compositions. With a clear tone and a concise delivery, Sam Fazio’s new album, I Wish You Love, presents each song in a way that is reminiscent of its inception on the Broadway stage. Backed by some of the finest straight-ahead musicians on the jazz scene, I Wish You Love is a pleasant journey of song with tasteful and supportive arrangements."
Dan Healy, Chicago Jazz Magazine
Click here to read full review
“Sam Fazio…a voice that’s warm and inviting, virile but vulnerable: an instrument that borrows from old (Sinatra) as well as new (Kurt Elling). (Sam) makes it sound easy. He belts the Songbook in an open-throated, big-hearted shout that grew up on Broadway. But he tempers it with jazz phrasing. And he cloaks it all in that deceptive nonchalance that Frank and Tony and Mel and Nat brought to the table.”
Neil Tesser
"Sam Fazio’s crooning way with standards makes him something of a throwback, but he regularly achieves the highest standard of any gifted singer by making even the old sound new again."
Time Out Chicago
"Sam Fazio won’t be a best-kept-secret for long. The Sunday night audience for 'Chicago Music' on 87.7FM has embraced everything we’ve played so far from his CD, The Songs We Love."
Rick O’Dell, WLFM-LP - Chicago's Smooth 87.7
"Sam Fazio’s debut, The Songs We Love, shows off his warm, inviting instrument, the timbre pitched somewhere between Siantra and Elling. His cabaret-crooner instincts vie with jazz phrasing – and a brightly swinging rhythm section – on light readings of the American Songbook."
Neil Tesser, Chicago Jazz Music Examiner
Author, Playboy Guide to Jazz
"The debut album from Sam Fazio – a Chicago singer with a nice sense of range – stepping out here in a set of standards that definitely live up to the title! Fazio's a lot more expressive than the usual jazz singer – with an approach that's almost more at home on the stage, and which makes for a delivery of some of these tunes that's quite unexpected – even though the backing is the familiar piano trio mode. Titles include "Summer Wind", "Always On My Mind", "Blame It On My Youth", "It Had To Be You", "Sway", and "Moondance".
Dusty Groove America
"Sam Fazio has quite a resume: after graduating from DePaul’s School Of Music, touring the country, becoming a regular in Vegas, and finally returning to Chicago in 2009 to become a staple at The Drake Hotel (among other locales), Fazio also found time to record his debut. The Songs We Love, as the title implies, collects classic covers done in Fazio’s smooth, jazzinfused, easy-listening style. Covers like “Time After Time,” “It Had To Be You,” and “Georgia On My Mind” showcase his extensive vocal talents."
Carter Moss, Illinois Entertainer
Sam joins the roster of BluJazz Records.
“We are both thrilled and honored to add Sam Fazio to the Blujazz Roster. We will be promoting his CD, “The Songs We Love”, and Sam both nationally and internationally to radio, press, and venues. We look forward to a long and successful relationship.”
Greg Pasenko, President, Blujazz
Sam was recently interviewed by Rick Kogan on The Sunday Papers and talked about Andy's Jazz Club debut and weekends in the Coq d'Or at the Drake Hotel. Click here to listen to the interview.
Sam is featured in January Skope Magazine "Artists 2 Watch". Click here to read interview.
"While many jazz singers “scat” or embellish words and notes to suit their artistic impulses, Sam Fazio has taken another approach to jazz standards. Out of respect for the stellar lyrics of the great composers, Fazio sings in a minimalist style, sounding out each syllable in a crisp, clean fashion, letting the lyrics speak for themselves. This approach has earned Fazio praise in jazz circles and a nod from Yahoo Arts & Entertainment as one of the top three vocalists in Chicago."
To read more of the featured article in Fra Noi, download the PDF
"A singer with a clean, warm voice and attractive delivery, Sam Fazio is not your usual jazz singer, as he blends the type of voice that would sound good on Broadway with an overt Sinatra influence in what is a winning combination."
Brad Walseth
www.jazzchicago.net
Click here to read full review
Sam named one of three great vocalists in Chicago.
"Sam Fazio's return to the Chicagoland area after nearly two decades in Las Vegas is definitely a bonus to the music scene of the Second City. Fazio defines smooth. He manages to combine a classy, yet hip, approach to his renditions of an extensive list of standards and pop hits. There's a cool and soothing quality in Sam's voice and delivery which are reminiscent of the classic Sinatra at his best. Fazio has that rare ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. He is able to kindle a flame in your heart or stir up your soul.
Sam frequently appears in the Coq d'Or room at the Drake Hotel. This intimate location is just the kind of atmosphere in which he thrives. Among some of my favorites performed by this remarkable singer were "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Beyond the Sea." Let's hope that Sam Fazio remains a fixture in Chicago."
Rod Marino
Associated Content
from Yahoo, Arts & Entertainment
Click here to read full article
"...Fazio's evocative voice, precise phrasing, and almost operatic delivery that nevertheless avoids theatrical excesses. Comparisons can be made with other male vocalists such as Harry Connick Jr., or the quintessential crooner Frank Sinatra but Fazio is very much his own man."
Hrayr Attarian
Chicago Jazz Magazine
Click here for full review
Sam was featured on The Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan on WGN Radio 720. Hear the live interview and sample tracks from his new full-length CD.
“Too long away from music, Sam Fazio has returned and what a delight that is. He is a singer of great gifts and sure charm."
Rick Kogan
The Sunday Papers, WGN Radio
Click here for Sam's Interview on The Sunday Papers
“Smooth is being re-defined. Sam Fazio handles the classics with gentle, respectful care. There’s a purity in his voice that puts a wonderful, new spin on songs that you love. Chicago can be glad for its own Josh Grobin. Fazio’s style and interpretation is hip, elegant and bold."
Dean Richards
Entertainment Reporter/Critic
WGN 9 and WGN Radio 720
“It is a rare occurrence to find an artist that is as comfortable performing from the Great American Songbook as he is interpreting contemporary rock/pop songs. It is even more difficult to find a singer that does both with equal skill and style. Listen to Sam Fazio and you have found that unique singer."
Nick Calabrese, Local Jazz Focus, WRRG
Beyond The Sea was a featured song of the month of November 2010 on MusiqFix.
Read reviews of new CD on www.jazzreview.com and www.keysandchords.com.