Yuka Mito sings with clarity and optimism as she takes on originals and standards deftly arranged by pianist Allen Farnham,along with Dean Johnson/b and Tim Horner/dr. Vincent Herring brings his bopping alto sax for an upbeat “I Got Rhythm”, with Mito giving a l ounge act feel to her own “Love In The City” . She scats well on a bopping “Four Brothers” and does a lovely duet with Frnham for “ My Funny Valentine. Most intriguing is her mix of English and Japanese on her personal an vulnerable “Memory Of Father”. Eager to please.
Winsome swing is delivered by vocalist Hanna Gill, backed by a fun two stepping team of Danny Jonokuchi/tp, Ryan Weisheit/sax-cl, Sam Chess/tb, Greg Ruggerio/g, Gordon Webser/p, Tal Ranon/b and Ben Zweig/dr. Sh’e cute and fun with Chess on “Moonlight takes time” and peppy over Zweig’s tapping out of the title tune. She has a New Orleans chirp to “It’s a Sin To Tell A Lie” and sways to Weisheit’s alto on “I Fell In Love With A Dream”. She’s a throwback to the days of canaries with big bands, and charms you all the night through.