There’s absolutely no need to introduce the world to pianist Dick Hyman, as he’s been the go-to guy for traditional jazz since rising to fame via the Woody Allen movie scores way back when. Contrasting with the 85 year old pianist, we’ve got here 30 year old Heather Masse, who we all need to hear more of, as she delivers a set of Tin Pan Alley favorites, as well as a couple of her own tunes, with a casual authority that is immediately enthralling and gets more attractive and deep with each listen. Her husky and breathy voice sounds relaxed and comfortable with tunes like “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” and “I’m Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away The Key.” While Hyman delivers perfectly cabaret obbligato’s and ruminations, Masse is playful without being condescending on material like “Lullabye Of Birdland,’ and is gloriously brooding on “Since I Fell For You.” Her own compositions like “If I Called You” and “Morning Drinker” fit right to the genre, and the whole mood here reeks of after hours-last call before the chairs are put away. A real gem!
Red House Records
www.redhouserecords.com