VOA标准英语2011--Gretchen Parlato's 'The Lost And Found'

Gretchen Parlato's 'The Lost And Found' Features Wide Range of Jazz Influences

We all know what winning an American Idol¹ competition can do for a singer's career. Even a Top 10 showing can keep a performer working for years. Winning one of the world's most prestigious² jazz competitions can also prove a worthwhile endeavor.
Singer-songwriter Gretchen Parlato was a relative unknown in the jazz field. Then came her first-place finish at the 17th annual Thelonious Monk³ International Jazz Competition, singing Frank Loesser's "I've Never Been In Love Before" to an esteemed⁴ panel of judges that included Al Jarreau, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Kurt Elling. Three years earlier, she was the first-ever vocalist admitted to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance.
The competition has been a valuable stepping stone for aspiring⁵ jazz artists, especially vocalists. Two of today's top jazz singers: Jane Monheit and Roberta Gambarini, were finalists in 1998, finishing behind the late Teri Thornton, who, at age 64, secured a recording⁶ contract with Verve Records.
2004 winner Parlato has appeared as a guest vocalist on more than 50 albums. She recently released her third solo collection, The Lost And Found.
Parlato puts a jazz spin on Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years." She also tackles the Miles Davis classic "Blue In Green," and Lauryn Hill's "All That I Can Say."
With influences ranging from pop standards to Brazilian jazz, Parlato describes her music as all-encompassing. Wondering what to call it?? "Just listen and you can decide for yourself," Parlato advises.

1 idol   

n.偶像，红人，宠儿

参考例句：

• As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子，他是父母的宠儿。
• Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。

2 prestigious   

adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的

参考例句：

• The young man graduated from a prestigious university.这个年轻人毕业于一所名牌大学。
• You may even join a prestigious magazine as a contributing editor.甚至可能会加入一个知名杂志做编辑。

3 monk   

n.和尚，僧侣，修道士

参考例句：

• The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。
• Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

4 esteemed   

adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为

参考例句：

• The art of conversation is highly esteemed in France. 在法国十分尊重谈话技巧。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He esteemed that he understood what I had said. 他认为已经听懂我说的意思了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 aspiring   

adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求

参考例句：

• Aspiring musicians need hours of practice every day. 想当音乐家就要每天练许多小时。
• He came from an aspiring working-class background. 他出身于有抱负的工人阶级家庭。 来自辞典例句

6 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。