TAKE NOTE: A Music Review for BeachCalifornia.com
By C. MacDonald

Jazz Flutist Valarie King "Sensational"

Her Quintet "Wows 'Em" 

ALTADENA--Seldom have we been so captivated by a rising star as we were last night with Valarie King and her Quintet, who performed at the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater during the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena's "Concerts in the Park" Summer Series.

King, recently nominated for a Grammy Award in the "Best New Contemporary Jazz Artist" Category, shown brightly in the starlit night by holding the packed audience spellbound with her artistic flair, precision flute performance and sincere conversation.

Stretching her notes from subtle to strong, the versatile USC grad and her handpicked fabulous talent sidekicks, including rollicking guest violinist Mark Cargill, provided a captivating evening of pulsating love, harmony, appreciation and fun at the concert sponsored in part by a grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund.

The grateful audience, which included her mentor, internationally-acclaimed flutist Hubert Laws, showered well-earned applause on the dynamic artist who played music from her sizzling debut solo recording--"Today, Tomorrow & Forever" (available at Tower Records).

The "Flute Queen" (whose father Jim joined her with his rainmaker for one number) was surrounded by virtuoso musicians whose lively music thrilled, punctuated and took command of the otherwise calm Summer evening.

The rendition of "Do You Really Know How Much I Care?" showed a sincerity shared by musicians and audience alike.

We can't get enough of the ever-gracious, sincere performer who has worked with Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Diana Krall and just finished a new recording with Stevie Wonder.

Valarie's time has definitely come! Her star is rising to the top. Catch her anyway you can--live, CD, www.valarieking.com.