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Carte Blanche

French, Latin and American Jazz

 

 

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OUR STORY

 

Carte Blanche is a six-piece jazz ensemble based in New York City, performing international jazz classics from the 1920s through the 1950s with elegance, virtuosity, and unmistakable vintage flair. Featuring accordion, violin, and sultry female vocals, the group has performed around the globe and has been featured in film and television scores.

Blending the romance of Old World cabaret with the sophistication of classic jazz, Carte Blanche transports audiences to another era through original interpretations of beloved songs in seven languages — English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Yiddish. The ensemble also performs original compositions inspired by the iconic sounds of the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s, bringing a fresh modern sensibility to timeless music.

Founded in 2010 by accordionist Kate Dunphy, the band now features French-born vocalist Marie Michele, whose effortless delivery and authentic Parisian charm bring a distinctive international character to the ensemble. A native French speaker with a gift for stylistic versatility, Marie moves seamlessly from smoky chanson and jazz standards to Latin classics and swing-era favorites, channeling the spirit of artists like Eartha Kitt and Billie Holiday while making each song entirely her own.

Driven by a tight, dynamic rhythm section and rich instrumental textures, Carte Blanche creates an atmosphere that is both cinematic and deeply intimate. With their glamorous vintage aesthetic and passionate dedication to preserving the music and spirit of a bygone era, the group has cultivated a devoted international following captivated as much by their artistry as by their timeless style.

 

 

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UPCOMING SHOWS

 

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MUSIC

Music collection
Love Songs
Love Songs

Released in April 2020, “Love Songs” is a beautiful collection of the band’s original arrangements. The album features creative interpretations of Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Tom Waits, Henry Mancini, George Gershwin, The Cure, and beyond.

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Waiting for Love
Waiting for Love

"Waiting For Love" was released in 2017 and features 13 selections from around the world. Additionally, this album includes two previously unreleased original tracks "En Attendant L'Amour (Waiting for Love)" and "Young In Love." Listeners will be taken on a musical journey through Italy, Brasil, France, Russia and beyond with arrangements of Edith Piaf,The Barry Sisters, Clara Nunes. From lively waltzes to wistful ballads, "Waiting for Love" showcases the versatility and range of this unique jazz ensemble.

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Back to Henri
Back to Henri

Carte Blanche's long-awaited EP "Back To Henri" is their debut release of all original material. Composed by accordionist/bandleader Kate Dunphy, the songs are inspired by the styles of 20's 30's and 40's jazz with a modern twist. Lush string arrangements and incorporation of horns, multiple vocals, and more allow the listener to experience the band from a fresh new perspective, however the compositions never lose sight of Carte Blanche's classic sound which remains at the core of every track. Each song paints a vivid picture and tells its own story from wistfully yearning for a lover in Paris to dancing under the moon, accompanied by musical styles ranging from swing to rhumba catalan.

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A Holiday Album
A Holiday Album

Get in the holiday spirit with Carte Blanche’s full length album featuring jazz and traditional holiday hits such as “Let it Snow” “The Christmas Song” and “Silent Night.” This album includes lush string arrangements and a collaboration with vocalist Paul Safy Jr. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and several tracks were featured on the “Pottersville” soundtrack.

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Carte Blanche
Carte Blanche

The group’s debut self titled album was released in 2012 and spans a variety of traditional jazz, French, and Latin repertoire.

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Press and Testimonials

"Perfectly vintage jazz ensemble Carte Blanche matches its jazzy chops with just-right silk and sequins." - Time Out New York

"This band is amazing!" -Darcy Miller, Editorial Director, Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine

"Carte Blanche lays down clean, lively twenties and thirties jazz with frequent forays into international territory: Edith Piaf and Latin American tunes from the same era pop up often on its set list" -NY Magazine

“Listening to New York-based jazz ensemble Carte Blanche will make you feel like Owen Wilson’s character in Midnight in Paris after he stumbles back in time.” -BizBash

“Carte Blanche will take you on a musical journey and is a treat to hear throughout the evening” -Editor-In-Chief, Michael McCarthy, D.C Magazine