Sophie Milman Interview Page 4

Smitty:  Absolutely.

SM:  You can hear that it wasn’t forced, it wasn’t pushed, you know.  It was just something that came together really nicely.

Smitty:  Yes, it has certainly been a giant step in the direction of international stardom for you.

SM:  Thank you.

Smitty:  Yes indeed, and I applaud you and everyone involved with this great record, and I really think you have a lot of great things that will happen beyond what has already happened with this record, just fresh out on the scene, because it just dropped just recently, so…

SM:  Mm-hmm.

Smitty:  Yeah, it’s a beautiful record.

SM:  Thank you.

Smitty:  And I really love what you did with the song “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.”

SM:  Yeah?

Smitty:  It’s my favorite song on the record.  (Laughs.)

SM:  Really?

Smitty:  Yeah.

SM:  Cool.  That’s my second favorite song.

Smitty:  (Laughs.)

SM:  But I’m happy to hear that.  I’m happy to hear that.

Smitty:  Yeah, because it was such a distinct, different song of all the songs, for me.  Everybody has their own choice, but that one grabs me more than any of the other songs.  They’re all great, but that one just stands out for me.

SM:  Yeah, I love that one too.  Listen, it’s obviously from Fiddler on the Roof.

Smitty:  Mm-hmm.

SM:  Definitely my Jewish connection, it’s just kinda my soul coming out.  That’s my favorite musical by far and I’m a huge musical fanatic, so if I had to choose, it’s really a close call between the Bernstein musicals and Fiddler, but Fiddler wins ‘cause it makes me cry every time I watch it.  And the song just spoke to me.  Again, it was a song that I decided to do two and a half years ago when I started working with Cameron and this was actually the first arrangement Cameron ever wrote for me.  That one and “Make Someone Happy.”  And the reason “Matchmaker,” other than the fact that it’s an awesome tune and really kind of really makes me feel Jewish and homely, which is what I really am, a personality, but my boyfriend and I were also set up by not a professional Jewish yenta matchmaker, but somebody who might as well be one.  He’s a great piano player in Toronto named Ron Davis and he set us up and so I love singing that song ‘cause it reminds me of that experience and it took a whole new meaning again. Listening to it as a kid and listening to it as an adult in a relationship, and it was really cool.

Smitty:  All right.  So, now, what’s up for Sophie Milman now?  I mean, you’re on the road, you’re doing your thing, what’s coming that you want all the fans to know about?

SM:  We’re now in the middle of a Canadian tour and gonna be playing some great shows in Toronto and Montreal Jazz Festival, and we’re making a DVD as well at the Montreal Jazz Festival, so people should watch out for that.

Smitty:  Oh, wow.

SM:  And the record comes out in the States in late August, then we have a lot of dates, especially California.

Smitty:  Oh, cool.

SM:  And going back to Yoshi’s, which I’m very excited about. There’s also a performance at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in New York in August as well.

Smitty:  That’s a great place.

SM:  Yeah, I’ve been there listening to music.  Honestly, the most beautiful acoustically unbelievable venue. You can hear a needle drop there.  Unreal.

Smitty:  (Laughs.)

SM:  And very excited about that, and going back to Japan again for a week in August, four performances at the Blue Note in Tokyo, which I’m really excited about, and then after doing the California run in the States, going on a Southeast Asian tour that’ll take us from the end of August to the beginning of September, and, again, discovering new places, which I really always love, and that’s it and the record’s gonna come out in Europe and we’ll see where it takes me.  Hopefully there’s gonna be a lotta shows and more records to come.

Smitty:  Somehow I think so.  (Laughs.)

SM:  I hope so.

Smitty:  Well, Sophie, I can’t thank you enough for sharing such a great experience in making this record and sharing this wonderful music, not only with myself but your fans and audiences around the world.  It’s just incredible what you’re doing musically and it’s great to be a part of that and be able to get a window on your life and your musicianship through your music.

SM:  Thank you, Smitty.

Smitty:  You’re so welcome.

SM:  Very sweet.  Thanks for having me.

Smitty:  Always a pleasure, my friend.  We have been talking with the fantastic and amazing Linus recording artist Ms. Sophie Milman.  She has a great new record out. It is called Make Someone Happy and trust me, that title is very appropriate, especially once you hear this wonderful record.  Sophie, thanks again and all the best for you in 2007 and beyond, my friend.

SM:  Thank you very much, Smitty.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.sophiemilman.com and www.linusentertainment.com and www.myspace.com/sophiemilman