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Margaret Carlson Grammy-nominated Margaret Carlson is an exciting new voice in contemporary music today. Crediting such artists as Cleo Laine, Judy Garland, Duke Ellington and Chick Corea as major influences, Margaret has emerged with a style all her own. Her second CD, “This Christmas … my favorite things” was nominated for a Grammy in 2000. She was in good company: Other nominees in her category were Barbra Streisand, Joni Mitchell, Michael Crawford and Liza Minnelli. Both “This Christmas” and her other CD, “Once in a Blue Moon” have won raves from reviewers across the country. On both albums, she has been accompanied by Grammy-nominated pianist/arranger Frank Mantooth.

Sample Programs

I've Got Music and Other Short Stories
This show consists of four or five vignettes, taking you on a delightful journey from one theme to another. The first vignette is "I've Got Music," with works from Carole King to George and Ira Gershwin--songs about rhythm, music and love, as in Michel LeGrand's "How Do You Keep The Music Playing." Another segment touches on the works of "Two Talented Brothers": George and Ira Gershwin. You'll hear favorites like; "S'wonderful," "But Not For Me” and "You Can't Take That Away From Me," as well as a more obscure piece, "Stiff Upper Lip," that shows Margaret's vocal range and dexterity. "Mad About You" showcases undying, heart-throbbing, incredibly mad-about-you love and features "Night and Day," "You'll Never Get Away from Me," and "I've Got You Under My Skin." Other compilations include "Mr. Arlen Comes to Town" featuring works by Harold Arlen, and the lovely vignette, "Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall," which begins with a line from the James Taylor hit "You've Got a Friend" and segues into selections that represent each season.

Deja Vu... Music to Remember
Margaret weaves her way from 1970 back to the 1950s for the Baby Boomers, or to the 1930s for their parents and lovers of the standards, in a show that features music you will remember or will want to remember. She starts the evening with "Deja Vu," a 1970s hit by Isaac Hayes, done with a sophisticated styling all her own. When she invades the '60s, selections will include the Beatles tune "In My Life," and the 1969 one-hit wonder, "I Love You More Today than Yesterday." The '50s is full of musical surprises from Joan Stafford's romantic "You Belong to Me" to Julie Andrews' "My Favorite Things." And for the '40s and '30s, well ...anything goes.

This Christmas ... my favorite things
This is a show that could put the Grinch in the Christmas spirit. Based on Margaret’s Grammy-nominated album, “This Christmas … my favorite things,” the music crosses over from traditional to sweet and playful arrangements on traditional pieces. Played on and supported by radio stations such as Moody Bible's WMBI, WGN, WXRT and WDCB, this performance reaches out to a large segment of holiday enthusiasts. An evening of "This Christmas ...my favorite things", will end up being one of your favorite things this Christmas. Among the selections are: “My Favorite Things,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “Jesus Loves Me/Silent Night,” “What Child Is This?,” “Deck the Halls,” “Away in a Manger, “This Christmas” and “White Christmas.”

Blue Mood
This show consists of the complete works from Margaret's well-reviewed first album, "Once in a Blue Moon," plus a couple of other azure titles. Among the selections are: "A Sleepin' Bee," "You Don't Know What Love Is," "Blue Moon," "Day by Day," "The More I See You," "The Very Thought of You," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "But Not For Me," "Secret Love" and "That's All."

First Ladies of Song
Margaret performs hits by five great vocalists with approximately a 10- to 15- minute presentation for each. The artists are Cleo Laine ("Music," "You Must Believe in Spring"), Ella Fitzgerald ("How High the Moon," "Lady Be Good," "One Note Samba"), Maureen McGovern ("Morning After"), Linda Ronstadt ("Heat Wave," "Blue Bayou," “What's New"), Nancy Wilson ("Guess Who I Saw Today," "Stormy Weather").

Give Margaret a Theme
You can also let Margaret pick songs to match the theme of your event. John McCarter, President of Chicago's Field Museum, did just that when he asked Margaret and arranger Dick Reynolds to put together a show with an English Theme. The evening started with "God Save the Queen." The rest of the set included: "A Foggy Day in London Town," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," "O Waly Waly," "The White Cliffs of Dover" and many others. The evening was filled with great music that represented our British buddies. All in all, it was a "Good Show."