For the past few years, Gretchen Parlato has been on the cusp of being one of the most important female jazz vocalists, and this concert cd/dvd of her at the Rockwood Music Hall from Dec 5 & 62012 gives ample evidence in her favor. She’s teamed up with Taylor Eigsti/p, Alan Hampton-Burniss Earl Travis II/b, Kendrick Scott-Mark Guiliana/dr on a collection of familiar and newer material. Her wisp of a voice floats like a feather on “Butterfly” and “Juju” and gets clever and percussive on “Alo Alo” while Guiliana’s drums provide counterpoint to her musings. She sounds almost subliminal on “All That I Can Say” and “Holding Back The Tears” yet holds it together with a lyricism that is both elastic and understated, drawing you in with its subtlety. The whole concert is at once both a summary of where she’s come from and with the assertive drumming, possibly where she wants to go. Get a hold of this one.
Obliq Sound Records