Tag Archives: jazz

Spotlight: Jazz Vocalists–Some New Recordings

straightnochaserThe Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern  by Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap (2015)

Tony Bennett and pianist Charlap give the gold medal treatment to some lesser known songs by Jerome Kern such as “Yesterdays” and “I’m Old Fashioned.” Bennett’s voice has aged, but he still has a way with a song and he allows Charlap to occasionally take center stage. A piano and the great Bennett is all it takes to deliver.

macfarlane2No One Ever Tells You by Seth MacFarlane (2015)

MacFarlane’s love for Sinatra comes across in his delivery of these standards. MacFarlane’s style is perhaps too idolizing of Sinatra. His rendition of “Only the Lonely” seems modeled exactly to Sinatra’s phrasing. But MacFarlane, although not revolutionary, sings with a smooth, articulate voice that lands pleasantly on the ear.

foronetoloveFor One to Love by Cecile McLorin Salvant (2015)

Salvant delivers a mixture of original songs and standards with a definite jazz style. She makes the standards her own while still honoring the music and understanding the lyric. In this outing, besides her original compositions, Salvant sings some musical hits including “The Stepsister’s Lament” from Cinderella and “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story.

Spotlight: Melody Gardot

melodygardotI just discovered Melody Gardot while searching for singers similar to Diana Krall. I recommend her music for vocal jazz enthusiasts who enjoy a little pop and blues. Gardot has an intriguing backstory that may well have informed her style. Lovely orchestration accents the romantic, lyrically wonderful albums.

Some of my favorite songs: “Impossible Love” evokes a French café ambiance, “Goodbye” demonstrates her sensuous chanteuse quality, “Your Heart is as Black as the Night” has a sultry, bluesy vibe, and the vocal style of “So We Meet Again My Heartache” just gives me goosebumps. Don’t miss her delightful version of “Over the Rainbow.”

Check out her albums today: The Absence (2012) and My One and Only Thrill (2009).

Live in Paris by Diana Krall

Live in Paris by Diana Krall (2002)
The smoky voiced Krall serves up her Grammy Award-winning jazzy renditions of standards such as “Fly Me to the Moon,” “The Look of Love,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” The live performance by this singer/pianist adds to the intimacy created by her smooth vocals. Visit Krall’s website to watch her perform select songs or request the DVD from another library to see the full concert recorded live in Paris.

Two Men with the Blues by Willie Nelson and Wyntan Marsalis

Two Men with the Blues by Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis (2008)
Two Men with the Blues is truly something special. Recorded on January 12 and 13, 2007, at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis, two of the most significant figures in modern-day country and jazz, stirred the sounds of New Orleans, Nashville, Austin and New York City into a joyous live performance of blues and standards. Try it – you’ll like it!

Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing

Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing by Ahmad Jamal (1958)
A classic jazz recording by local talent Ahmad Jamal originally released in 1958. “But Not for Me” (George & Ira Gershwin) is a Jamal classic but listen for “Poinciana” (N. Simon, B. Bernier). It is pure genius!

Can’t wait to borrow the CD to hear some of this music? Listen to samples at Amazon.com. Check out a biography about the artist or an interview with Jamal at All About Jazz. Read the articles that have appeared in the Chicago Tribune since 2000.