?Music is my soul, my raison d?etre,? says Bermuda?s own woman of song Gita Blakeney-Saltus.

The singer will launch her new CD, ?Angel Eyes?, tonight at an exclusive party at the Freisenbruch-Meyer Group headquarters. The event will be broadcast live on KJAZ 98.1, Bermuda?s jazz radio station.

Fans have waited ten years since her last full CD, which was ?My Favourite Things? and ?Angel Eyes? has been five years in the making.

?People have been asking me for a long time to do a follow up and here it is,? explained the artist who now only wants to be referred to as Gita.

??Angel Eyes? is a collection of standard jazz tunes that I have interpreted, and brought my own style to. They are all songs that are dear to my heart for various reasons.?

The 12 tracks include Gita?s unique performances of standards like George and Ira Gershwin?s ?Someone To Watch Over Me?, Duke Ellington?s ?Sophisticated Lady? and her own blend of ?Black Coffee?, the song which was made famous by jazz divas Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as Nat King Cole?s classics ?Autumn Leaves? and ?Angel Eyes? and Al Jarreau?s ?Spain (I Can Recall)?.

Gita told that the reason she chose the tracks was because: ?This album, like my first ?My Favourite Things?, was born out of my love for jazz standards, and this project again highlights songs, which have touched and inspired me over the years.

?This album demonstrates the natural evolution and development of myself as a jazz stylist.

?All the songs are standard jazz classics, arranged by David Budway, the pianist and myself. Each of the magnificent musicians featured on this album bring their unique interpretative style and musicality.?

?Angel Eyes?, like her previous album, was produced on-Island, at Just Platinum Studio, and engineered by the very talented Steve Easton.

?And Gi Gi Production are the producers of the CD.?

The title of the album came a little later, said the performer.

??Angel Eyes? was written by Earl Brent and Matt Dennis. It is the title track on the album and I chose it for its haunting melody and lyrics,? she said. ?Also, I felt that the incredible photo taken by Troy Jennings dramatically depicted my eyes. He captured my eyes, and gave rise to the title of the album.?

All the songs on ?Angel Eyes? were arranged by Gita and New York-based jazz pianist David Budway, who is regarded as one of the most distinctive pianists on today?s international jazz scene and a highly sought-after accompanist, arranger, film composer and songwriter who has performed with jazz legends such as Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Jon Faddis, Louie Bellson, Dave Liebman, George Benson, Mark Murphy, Jimmy Heath, and Dizzy Gillespie. He is currently on tour with jazz violinist Regina Carter.

Gita met Mr. Budway some years ago when he visited the Island for a jazz event, promoted by David Frost.

?I had the distinct pleasure of performing with him,? recalled Gita.

?His piano style was reminiscent of Andrew Morrison, who was the pianist on my first CD, and I was thrilled that someone of his calibre agreed to work on the album with me.?

The CD also features talented American horn player Sam Hankins who has performed and recorded with the Glenn Miller big band, Clark Terry, the O?Jays, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations and the Dells and is presently musical director at the Berkeley Institute.

In addition, the album features the talents of well-known Bermudian musicians bass player Whency Woolridge, drummer Tony Cox, and percussionist Keith Caisey.

?All these guys brought an incredible amount of experience to the project so that was really exciting for me,? she added.

?I?m so glad that they joined me in making it a reality. The elements have come together beautifully and I am very, very proud of it.?

But there is a hint of sadness in the album?s dedication to late local musicians Andrew Morrison and Michael Fox.

?They have both passed, but they were good friends of mine and I owe them so much,? Gita said. ?There is a lot of sentimentality in this project for me.?

Aside from her talents, Gita works full-time at the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG), as development director.

?It is, albeit a corporate driven exercise, embedded in the arts,? she said.

?Hence I?m surrounded by artistic treasures, and I find my work for the BNG both fulfilling and complimentary to my alter ego. I have been most fortunate to host my Champagne & Jazz evenings, which allows me to transform the museum to my stage.

?I?m truly privileged to work in such a supportive environment and my creative juices are constantly flowing.?

But what makes Gita tick? And what keeps her tenacious spirit alive?

She said: ?Having the love and blessings from my husband, family and friends.

?Enjoying a purpose-driven life and being my authentic self. Giving and contributing to the betterment of community, and ultimately my universe, and always humbling myself to my higher power.?

Although she says she feels exhilarated, free and empowered, during live performances, she pointed out that she is about to take a break.

?I am in a bit of a hiatus, as I savour the completion of this project,? she said.

?I am in the process of restructuring my career, but I am enjoying sporadic moments performing with the Toni Bari Trio, Robert Edwards and others. I am blessed and grateful beyond measure.?

In addition to the new CD, Gita will shortly be launching her own website, www.gitathesong.com. The site name and the fact that ?Angel Eyes? is credited as being by ?Gita?, not Gita Blakeney, also marks a new direction for the singer.

?My mother called me Gita because she liked the sound of the name, which is of Hindi and Sanskrit origin,? she said.

?And it means ?song?, she truly defined my destiny, so I thought it was appropriate for me as an artist to just use the one name.

?Music is my soul. The older I get, the more I realise that this is a calling, a gift, and I?m ready to share it with the world!?

?Angel Eyes? CDs will be available at the Music Box from tomorrow.