Here are some ladies that not only sing, but compose and arrange as well.
Kelly Hafner gives a mix of jazz, indie and soul on her personal lyrics that are supported by Sam Diaz-John Shelton/g, Isaias Gil-Derek Hames/dr, Mark Riddell/b, Jimmy Morland/org-p, Preston Smith/tp-fh, Andre Hayward/tb, Andrae Grant/sax and Daniela Pennycook/vi. She’s earnest with earthy and spartan guitar work on the spacious Dreams and title tune, while some Memphis soul is felt on the ballad “No Time.” A funky B3 tams with some Hendrixy guitar on “Things Are Changing” and wacka wooka’d “On My Mind” as she gets blues on a reggae’d “Give Light” and goes modern R&B for a synth beat on “Angel.” Palpable tones.
Beverly Church Hogan teams up with some of LA’s finest jazzers on this John Proulx-produced gem. Hogan has a rich an clear enunciation of lyrics, sensuously joined by Doug Webb’s flute on the Latin “Take My Breath Away” and late night resigned with his tenor on “I’m Through With Love.” Guitarist graham Dechter gives a midnight sun intro to a deeply thought title track, with the rhythm team of Dechter, Lyman Medeiros/b ;and Clayton Cameron/dr creating soft ripples for Hogan’s hushes for the soft “Wait Till You See Him.” She’s gorgeously spacious and patient on “Speak Low” and as relaxed as a Naugahyde booth at Norms on “Losing My Mind” and “Time After Time.” Rich brush strokes.
Vanessa Rubin brings out a masterful tribute to overlooked bebop pioneer Tadd Dameron, letting his material be arranged by sax masters Frank Foster, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath and Bobby Watson. The rhythm team of John Cowherd/p, Kenny Davis/b and Carl Allen/dr is flexible enough to give a vaudevillian beat to the fun “Kitchenette Across The Hall” or float like a cirrus cloud for Rubin’s rich and honey’d voice for “Reveries Do Come True.” The horn section of Eddie Allen/tp, Patience Higgins/ts, Bruce Williams/as, Clifton Anderson/tb and Alex Harding/bs creates rich textures for the warm and hip “Lady Bird” and weave well with Rubin on the post bop of “I Think I’ll Go Away.” Rubin gets brash during “On A Misty Night” and hip as all get out for “Good Bait.” This is a delight!
Angela Verbrugge gives singers like Lorraine Feather a run for their money with her witty lyrics on her originals that area mixed with some clever covers. Teamed with Ray Gallon/p, Cameron Brown/b and Anthony Pinciotti, she is fun and quirky on her bopping “I’m Running Late” and cleverly swings on a Latin-grooved “How Did I Know This Was The End?” while her “You’re Almost Perfect” is both hip and a hoot. She is wispy and romantic on her title tune, she slithers for a coy “Love Walked In” and oozes on Duke Ellington’s “All Too Soon” while putting a rose between her teeth and doing a table dance on the sauntering “Si Tu Pudieras Quererme.” In the Archie Comics of life, this lady is a bubbly Betty.