Pianist/vocalist Dena DeRose delivers a swinging tribute to kindred spirit Shirley Horn on this latest release. Her trio of Matt Wilson/dr and Martin Wind/b are hand in glove symbiotic as DeRose plays and sings with authority, verve and lighthearted sass on tunes like the hip and high stepping “Sunday In New York” and the chipper “Wild is Love.” She’s delightful with the delicate bassist on “Quietly There” and is starkly luminous all on her own with “You’re Nearer.” Tenorist Eric Alexander and bari man Gary Smulyan bring in some extra beef on the easy striding “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” and boogalooing “Big City” respectively, while Jeremy polishes his trumpet and glistens with DeRose on “You Won’t Forget Me” and goes Killer Joe with her and Alexander on “The Great City.” DeRose’s voice, timing on the piano and B3 and attitude are all in perfect harmony here on this winning session.
High Note Records