VOA标准英语2011--Braun Makes Move from Trumpeter to Singe

Braun Makes Move from Trumpeter to Singer on 'Sings With Strings¹'

Who knew acclaimed² jazz trumpeter Rick Braun could sing? His latest album showcases superb vocal³ skills as well as his grasp of the Great American Songbook.
Braun has turned his life-long passion for singing into his first-ever vocal album, Sings With Strings. In fact, he describes the collection as a “musical homecoming.”
“I grew up hearing this music all around the house; singing it, playing, listening to my mom, a singer and piano player who knew every part of a song, the verse, the chorus, the refrain, and all the lyrics,” Braun explains.
He takes aim at some of the greatest pop composers of all time, including Johnny Mercer, Richard Rodgers and Frank Loesser, as well as the famed songwriting team, Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne.
For example, on "The The Things We Did Last Summer," Braun revives Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne’s hit song.
He also sings with strings and plays flugelhorn on such classics as “The Good Life.”
Selections from the album were arranged and produced by smooth jazz keyboardist Phillipe Saisse and feature a 52-piece orchestra.
Last April, Braun made his debut⁴ as a lead singer and previewed several songs from his new release at the 21st Annual Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pennsylvania. He’s originally from nearby Allentown, Pennsylvania.

1 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

2 acclaimed   

adj.受人欢迎的

参考例句：

• They acclaimed him as the best writer of the year. 他们称赞他为当年的最佳作者。
• Confuscius is acclaimed as a great thinker. 孔子被赞誉为伟大的思想家。

3 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

4 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。