Here’s a rarity in jazz-a male tenor vocalist-most are either too high or too low, but Kenny Washington fits just right. He can lay down a lyric, or scat out a melody with equal aplomb, and he teams up here with Michael O’Neill who serves as a perfect partner and foil on tenor, soprano and clarinet. The rest of the serves as the anchor, with Geoffrey Keezer or John R. Burr/p, Dan Feiszli/b and Alan Hall/dr serving it up piping hot and Erick Jekabson/tp-fh adding extra verve.
Keezer’s got a nice touch on a fervent “A Night In Tunisia” while Washington delivers soulful and supple words and wordless flavor alongside O’Neill’s tenor, while a cleverly Latinized “Stella By Starlight” is enhanced by a riveting solo by Jekabson. A marvelous duet between Washington and Keezer make “Fly Me to the Moon” an absolute delight, and O’Neill’s soprano slides in like a fragrant breeze at just the right moment. Bop is popping on “Dinah” and Washington takes you to a gospel service as he testifies on a riveting “Nomali” that has O’Neill’s tenor take over the pulpit. You’re gonna like these guys!
Jazzmo Records