Vocalist Carla Helmbrecht has been cultivating her craft since the age of 8 when she began taking piano lessons and singing. A native of Wisconsin, Carla was raised in a large music-loving family, and had an inherently deep desire for music. It was her father who introduced her to jazz, and it was not uncommon for the entire family to spend endless evenings making music. At age 13, she began singing professionally, as she continued piano studies. Her early influences include traditional jazz greates such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Julie London, Count Basie, and Dave Brubeck. Later influences include Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson, Cleo Lane, and Miles Davis. Carla later continued her jazz studies in West Texas, singing with the Texas Tech University Jazz ensemble under the direction of Alan Shinn. While playing and touring with the university band, she had the opportunity to perform with and open for jazz notables such as Tuck and Patti, the Yellowjackets, Louie Bellson and Tony Campise. Carla was featured on the Texas Tech University Jazz Ensemble’s CD “Seein‘ The Light... Hearin’ the Hub-Tones” (1997). In July of 1994, Heart Music announced the release of Helmbrecht’s debut “One For My Baby” which showcases a collection of traditional jazz standards (and some not-so traditional). She is joined by a host of world-class musicians from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas areas such as Clay Jenkins (trumpet - Kenton, Basie, Buddy Rich), Kim Richmond (alto sax, clarinet - Richmond Big Band, Natalie Cole) Chris Seiter (trombone - Bob Mintzer, Brecker Brothers) and Frank Mantooth (piano and arranger (Grammy nominee, writer). With tasteful and sometimes surprising arrangements, “One For My Baby” offers the listener a distinct flavor of an era passed, with a unique timely and sensual twist. “Here is a Southern young lady with a personable voice singing a fine selection of tunes in a latter-day torch-song style...The arrangements and backing are of the highest order... an excellent production of a talent that promises more.” -– Jazz Now “Carla Helmbrecht sticks to today’s standards and does well by them. She has an emotive, languid voice perfect for the torchy ballads that dominate her set. Altogether this is a very worthwhile CD.” -– Cadence “Carla Helmbrecht is a new name but she won me over from the start on her debut (One For My Baby)... the highly appealing singer starts off the set with one of the saddest ballads ever written... her expressive powers are quite high and she is at her best on ballads. The main question is Who is Carla Helmbrecht and when will she be in Los Angeles?’” -– Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene "Cool, languid, laid back and gently fervent... outstanding... this album should be added to one's collection" -– Dave Nathan, ALLABOUTJAZZ.COM