I’ve always found it befuddling that tenor saxist Jessy J has been relegated to the “smooth jazz” field. Is it because she’s an attractive woman who plays accessible material? This album of her with her band of Jay Rowe/key, Frank Abraham/b, Iajhi Hampden/dr, Michael Angel/g and Richie Gajate Garcia/perc may play jazz smoothly at this January gig at Yoshi’s, but it’s anything but smooth jazz.
There is lots of soul and R&B in the rhythm team, but Jessy’s tone is strong and muscular on “The Tango Boy” and teams well with Abraham’s funky bass on “La Luna Feliz.” Her early hit “Tequila Moon” swings hard along with Joe Sample’s peppy “Rainbow Gold,” while she sounds luscious during “Despacito.” As with all warm tenors, she sounds best on Brazilian sounds, and she oozes on “Agua de Beber,” percolates on “Tropical Rain” and even has fun singing along with the percussion on “Mas Que Nada.” If this is smooth jazz, then so was Stan Getz!