Though enigmatically autobiographical, The Shape of My Heart more importantly introduces a vocalist whose intimate sultriness and vulnerability often imbues her song choices with heretofore unheard poignance. The depth she plumbs in Lady Antebellum’s country-pop crossover, “Need You Now,” alone justifies her effort; but the wonders she works on numbers first popularized by Sting, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks and Al Green shimmer with an interpretive depth.
Jamie Lee Rake – Shepherd Express
Each song has been carefully selected for its portrayal of crucial emotions, aspirations, or turning points in life. Joel Frahm on tenor saxophone, Andy Langham on piano and melodica, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Charles Ruggiero on drums surround and support Jami Templeton's memorable performance, in this treasure for personal and public library music collections.
Midwest Book Review
With a set list of classics and chestnuts that defies time and genre limits, she delightfully refashions these songs you've worn out the grooves on, but you've never heard them like this. Quite the enchanting set…
Chris Spector – Midwest Record
In her debut jazz album, The Shape of My Heart, she is soft, gentle, and delicate, with no hard edges; she’s more intimate, more tender, more inward-looking. This is Templeton exploring more personal emotions and depths of feeling than she’s displayed in the past. This Templeton is indeed showing the shape of her heart, and it is filled with love and inspiration.
Elliot Zweibach – Cabaret Scenes
Room at the Top is not a song that is widely-covered so when I heard Jami Templeton’s recording I was instantly engaged and my eyes began to water again. The lyrics of the song are poignant and the melody is gorgeous. I listened to it three times in a row, embracing the emotion of the performance and the powerful memory connected to the song. You absolutely need to hear this song. Templeton’s voice is warm and expressive, thoughtful and nuanced.
David Reed – Belleville Intelligencer
Jami's voice is beautiful in any genre. She can sing anything!"
Yvette Nicole Brown -Emmy nominated actress
I'm a jazz and blues purist, and Jami's got it!
Marion Cowings, jazz singer -Co-founder of the vocal jazz department at NYU
As a performer, Jami Templeton’s road home to jazz was a winding one. In her childhood, she was privileged to study under Margot Hanson, wife of famed bassist Chuck Israels. Hanson, who was an accomplished opera singer, gave Jami a solid vocal technique, and encouraged her to sing classical music. Jami had the privilege of singing briefly under esteemed choir director, Mr. Dale Mattson, who had an award-winning jazz ensemble. While under Mr. Mattson’s tutelage, Jami spent many hours singing the music of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra with Mr. Mattson at the piano. While jazz was in Jami's bones, she began her career as a classical singer. Her professional career began at age 20 with an encouragement award from the Metropolitan Opera, and flourished from there. Jami studied classical voice under esteemed master teacher, Trish McCaffrey in her private studio, and at the Manhattan School of Music. She also studied extensively under the creator of Speech Level Singing, Seth Riggs (Teacher of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Josh Groban, etc), followed by 2 years of immersive study in jazz under many legendary performers in NYC. She released her debut Jazz album, The Shape of My Heart, on February 4th, 2022 featuring musicians: Joel Frahm, Andy Langham, Edwin Livingston, and Charles Ruggiero. The album is available on all streaming platforms.
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