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Amy Cervini, Digging Me Digging You

2012 | Label: Anzic / Entertainment One Distribution

02.07.12 Vocalist Blossom Dearie was an American original who amassed a distinctive repertoire by choosing — and also eventually writing — material that balanced Tin Pin Alley, Broadway and intimate cabaret piano jazz. As a singer, Dearie (who died in 2009 at the age of 83) possessed refined intonation, a sly sense of swing and playful phrasing — gifts she frequently combined with a Cupie-doll affectation (partially borne of her limited range) that helped nudge her more fancifully humorous tunes into novelty territory.

Although Dearie die-hards will likely disagree, Amy Cervini has distilled the strengths and siphoned off the weaknesses of the Dearie method in her marvelous tribute, Digging Me Digging You. She’s the right person for the job, possessing her own… more »

Leny Andrade, The Best Of (Live)

2011 | Label: Music Brokers / The Orchard

02.07.12 Leny Andrade has a voice as big as the world. It wouldn’t be out of the question, upon first hearing it, to wonder how she’s able to maneuver this weighty instrument through the slippery rhythmic twists and turns of Brazilian music, sambas and bossa novas being all about elision and sibilance. Andrade has strategies to deal with the incongruity between the heft of her voice and the airiness of her music. She starts by having a well-drilled band that relieves her from the burden of carrying more than she has to. She uses rhythmic hits, punctuation, riffs and similar devices as points of reference, then moves her own way. This combination of regimentation and freedom is particularly effective. And like… more »

Jack DeJohnette, Sound Travels

2012 | Label: eOne Music / Entertainment One Distribution

01.30.12 Sound Travels is many things: It’s a celebration of Jack DeJohnette turning 70 and being named an NEA Jazz Master in 2012; it’s an updated tour of some of the vast musical landscape traversed in his career; and it’s a chance for him to play — piano as well as drums — with a hand-picked ensemble that purposefully includes some of his favorite younger musicians.

For a collection this lighthearted and variegated, it still packs a surprising musical punch. Among the memorable moments are DeJohnette and percussionist Luisito Quintero trading licks after Esperanza Spaulding’s wafting vocal on “Salsa For Luisito;” the way trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire seems to suspend time on a compelling stop-and-go solo of fiery power during “New Muse;” the… more »

Neil Cowley Trio, Face of Mount Molehill

Label: Naim Jazz / IODA

01.23.12 Given Neil Cowley’s high-profile work — playing keyboards for the likes of Adele, Gabrielle and smooth soul-funksters the Brand New Heavies — you probably wouldn’t expect anything especially radical from his piano-led trio. And in a sense you’d be right: On this album, there are plenty of soothing string parts buoying up the gentle repetitions and rippling melodies of the piano, bass and drums, and a distinct lack of crazed jazz wig-outs or in-your face discord. It is a very pleasant album.

That’s no putdown, though. The sweetness of the record is incredibly uncontrived — it never feels like it’s trying too hard to please, but instead like the musicians are just revelling in capturing and exploring a mood on each… more »