Close To You - Olivia Van Goor (feat. Tommy Lehman) - LIVE IN STUDIO

Akron Recording Company (2024) in Akron, OH
Close To You (Burt Bacharach & Hal David)
Arranged by Olivia Van Goor
Tommy Lehman- Horn
Theron Brown- Piano
Matt Ryan- Bass
Zaire Darden- Drums
Mixed & Mastered by Matt Ryan

After playing the Bop Stop in Cleveland, Ohio for Valentine's Day 2024, it became clear to Olivia that this group of musicians was the perfect combination to play her arrangement of "Close To You". Born out of a very simple rhythm, this arrangement has become a fan favorite for anyone who sees Olivia live. Made famous by the Carpenters, Olivia and the crew put their souls into re-imagining this popular standard. Ben Patrick and the crew at Akron Recording Company were amazing to work with and put together the video.

www.oliviavangoor.com

Olivia Van Goor is a Detroit-based jazz vocalist, band leader, arranger, and composer. She has built a reputation for not only being an excellent vocalist, but a creative force to be reckoned with. Her hard work has yielded two EPs, first “When the Shadows Fall” in 2021 and the second being “Don’t Be Mad At Me” in August of 2023. These recordings have taken her to tour in surrounding major cities such as Ann Arbor, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Southbend, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. Additionally, she received “Best Vocalist” for the Preservation of Jazz Excellence Award in Detroit, nominations by the Detroit Music Awards and recognition by many Michigan-based publications. Beyond recording, she has produced the show “Duets” with vocalist/bassist Reuben Stump exploring the history of vocal jazz duets and some of her own arrangements as well as an “Anita O’Day Tribute” in which she pays tribute to the legendary vocalist Anita O’Day. She has worked with musicians like Detroit pianist Scott Gwinnell, 2-time JUNO award winning vocalist Caity Gyorgy, and prolific Ann Arbor string bassist Paul Keller. Olivia continues to collaborate with many Michigan leaders in jazz in addition to surrounding midwest musicians to spread musical joy.

Trumpeter and Vocalist Tommy Lehman is a native of Akron and graduate of Firestone High School. He has been playing professionally in the Northeast Ohio music scene for the past several years, regularly touring, recording, and performing with Acid Cats, Nathan-Paul and The Admirables, Chris Coles’ Nine Lives Project, Alba Trio, Dan Wilson, Theron Brown, Bobby Selvaggio, Peachcurls, and others.
Upon his completion oat the renowned jazz studies program at Tri-C in Cleveland, Tommy transferred to the prestigious Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut to continue his collegiate studies with Freddie Hendrix, Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Javon Jackson, amongst others before graduating in 2018.

Theron Brown is an accomplished jazz pianist and a leader in arts community of Akron, Ohio. He founded the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival to cultivate the city’s unique sound and honor its jazz history. Theron is developing the next generation of musicians by teaching jazz as an assistant professor at The University of Akron. He has toured nationally and internationally, and also performs blues, gospel, and soul.

Matt Ryan is a bassist from Detroit, Michigan known for being one of the baddest in the area. Raised into a family of jazz lovers, he found his own voice playing soul/r&b and touring with artists like Alex Isley & Chantae Cann. Matt is also affiliated with Detroit producer and multi-instrumentalist Brandon Williams, keyboardist Rufus Ferguson, saxophonist Jeff Ponders, and many others in the scene.

Zaire Darden is a Cleveland based drummer, musician, composer, and teacher.