LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE says she is "an artist to watch" March 2005.
LIVING BLUES JULY/AUGUST 2011
CC BRONSON Bluesarella Cosmic Swing – (No #)
Carolyn “CC” Bronson wrote or co-wrote everything here, and her lyric vision is as focused as her gospel-honed vocal delivery (too bad, though, that she mis-identifies Sippie Wallace as “Sippie Washington” on Why I Sing the Blues, her tribute to her musical foremothers and sisters). Unlike some singers who feel compelled to push the “bad-ass blooze mama” persona down their listeners’ throats, she saves her more aggressive tones (and lyrics) for the times when they’re most thematically appropriate. Virtually all of the instruments here are played by Matt Baxley: his piano style ranges from drive-em-down blues-rock to New Orleans–style curlicues; his guitar work is assertive, sometimes flamboyant, but never over-the-top; his drum work is solid and unobtrusive. The production is roomy, allowing plenty of space for emotions to grow, especially on bittersweet ballads like Standby, in which Bronson wittily draws an analogy between enduring a delay at the airport and weathering the uncertainties of a long-distance love affair. Bronson’s soprano ascents are almost Aretha-like in their power and clarity, and in her more meditative moments she mines depths of emotion reminiscent of a gospel moan. Even on a rage-fueled blues shuffle like I Can’t Deal she combines alley-like toughness with an elusive but palpable feeling of uplift, and her most caustic lyric barbs are nonetheless leavened by humor (“I’d rather meet ya than tweet ya / better back up, don’t do shack-up”). It’s refreshing to hear a contemporary blues singer unafraid to explore a wide emotional palette; CC Bronson is the kind of stylist who reminds us that in the right hands, feeling, craft, and musical intelligence can—and should—go together. —David Whiteis
Growing up in South Florida, C C could not help but to fall in love with the blues, thanks to her special summers in Bradenton with her great-uncle Dave Maxwell. "As soon as I walked through the door, he'd say help him push the furniture against the walls, and we'd remove that multi-colored rug from the center of the floor, so that we could (cut a rug) dance.
She has been featured on national and college radio and television around the country and has opened for national and international blues artist such as Sue Foley and Chris Cain.
Her new album "Bluesarella" features the single "Thank You" with back up vocals provided by some members of the Boys and Girls Club of Gloucester County, New Jersey. Sales from the single will be donated to their club to help maintain and create much needed programs.
CD is available at CDBABY .COM, ITUNES & AMAZON
Her influences range from her mother Ruby Lee a church musician to Ray Charles to Etta James, B B King, Tina Turner, Tracy Chapman, Aretha Franklin, Buddy Guy and so many others. What sets this artist apart is that she performs traditional blues with the same love and intensity that she performs contemporary blues and soul. A mixture of soul, rock, funk gospel blues CC's newest cd "Bluesarella" has been much anticipated