The long road to Vanessa Rubin's debut on Telarc was paved with sacrifice and hard work, according to Vanessa, who in retrospect, claims jazz was the soundtrack of her childhood. "Jazz was always the musical priority in our house;" however, Rubin admits, "sometimes, before my father came home from work, I got my Motown and other R&B grooves on, because along with Sarah, Nancy and Carmen, I also was impressed by singers like Gladys Knight and Diana Ross. In fact, in high school I sang with a Supremes-like vocal trio."

The Rubin household was a virtual artistic center, where the family piano was in constant service. And despite being somewhat of a tomboy growing up, Vanessa took voice, ballet, tap and piano lessons. "I didn't stay with any particular one for very long," she recalls, "but knowing how to play, read music and sing correctly gives me more creative choices and helps increase my musical vocabulary."

Although she began her professional singing career in Cleveland, where she sang with and managed a popular jazz quartet, Vanessa made the risky but wise move to New York. While word of her incredible voice spread like wildfire throughout the jazz community, she studied with Barry Harris and Frank Foster at Harris' Jazz Cultural Theatre. Still, the ever independent, practical vocalist hedged her bets. Having earned a BA in Journalism from Ohio State University, she supplemented her singing career by teaching and service as a Dean of Students in New York City's public school system. "After college, I worked several jobs, but they weren't me. Neither was teaching, although I love kids. My ultimate calling, I realized, was to sing."

And sing she did. Signed with RCA/Novus in 1991, Vanessa's first album, Soul Eyes, brought her wide recognition and respect in jazz circles. Now, after several outstanding albums later, she's established herself as a premiere vocalist, who has thrilled SRO audiences at Carnegie Hall and at prestigious venues and music festivals around the world. On her "Language of Love" CD, Vanessa Rubin shares with her fans what she calls "a warm and intimate recording with songs that tell the story of an emotional unveiling of sorts" as Rubin shares her most intrinsic self. Language of Love, includes duets with Freddie Cole who Rubin believes is "a great storyteller." This new album was produced by Telarc president, Bob Woods in collaboration with bassist extraordinaire, John Clayton. "Girl Talk" was the follow-up album to her "Language of Love" CD.