Angie Pastor's Jazz Album

In 2024, I was blessed with the privilege of recording and releasing my debut album, with the help of many beautiful people. I gathered some of my favorite musicians, and together we brought to life a story I had been aching to tell. That album became the perfect silver lining in my era of grieving—woven into 11 folky, delicate, and acoustic songs.

As many of you know, another huge part of my musical identity is jazz. The first jazz artist I ever heard was Vince Guaraldi. I was three or four, my dad was working in our basement woodshop and playing the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, and I sat at the top of the steps, listening blissfully. This was kind of a miracle because as a child, I rarely sat still or was quiet. I needed to be constantly expressing myself, making silly sounds, filling every space with noise. But Vince Guaraldi’s music was one of the only things that calmed me down. Throughout my life, I found that Norah Jones, Nat King Cole, and dozens of other jazz artists had that same impact. Jazz became something that could ground me, something that felt like home. I went on to pursue it seriously in my studies throughout high school and college, leading to my career as a professional performing jazz singer.

Now, one thing you might not know about me is how much I adore the comical side of jazz—and how deeply it intertwines with my love for old Hollywood comedy. The comedy in those classic films and TV shows was what I lived on as a child. It was one of the many reasons I was considered "weird" at school.

While most young girls were shyly smiling at boys or passing notes saying "I like you," I had a different approach. I would track him down at recess, and force him to watch as I re-enacted the entirety of Season 2 Episode 1 of I Love Lucy or performed Donald O’Connor’s dance number from Singin' in the Rain. Spoiler alert: he was not a fan of my impromptu performances. But that’s how I expressed…. whether it was Lucille Ball's impeccable timing or the slapstick genius of Betty Hutton, I reveled in the absurdity of those moments, and that joy has been a part of me ever since.

That comedic spirit, paired with my love of jazz, has never left me. It’s in the way I perform, in the way I create, and now, it’s going to be in my next album. I’m planning to record 12 songs—all in the jazz tradition and style—but with hints of comedy. Some songs will have particularly humorous topics, while others might open with a short spoken monologue, similar to some of Eartha Kitt’s recordings. I’ve also written a couple of original songs in the jazz tradition, including one comedic song and one sweet ballad. I want this album to capture what it’s like to be someone who romanticizes life one moment and laughs at it the next. I want to bring the humor of musical theater into the jazz world—blending witty storytelling with rich musicality.

This album will be different from my last in a profound way. My first album was something I needed to create—a message that had to be released into the world, a documentation of a moment in my life. It was sorrowful, cathartic, and once it was done, I felt like I could leave it where it was. But this album—this one, I can see myself taking on tour. This isn’t just a story; it’s a mindset. It’s the full spectrum of what it means to be a woman who falls in love with the world one minute and laughs at its absurdity the next. It’s something I want to share, to perform, to bring to audiences everywhere.

But to make this happen, I need your help.

My fundraising goal is $30,000. I’ve carefully calculated the costs to record, mix, master, and promote this album, and this is truly a “go big or go home” moment for me. It’s a crazy amount of money, but I’m putting myself out there and seeing what happens.

If you’re able to donate, I’d be endlessly grateful. And if you can’t donate but still want to support, spreading the word to people who might be interested in this project would mean the world to me.

As a thank-you, I want to offer some special rewards for larger donors!

A CD of my last album

A crocheted hat or sweater (handmade with love!)

Stickers

Tickets to a donor-exclusive show for those who donate $100 or more

Thank you so much for believing in me and for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to make this album a reality—with all of you along for the ride.