Here’s a clever tribute to an unfairly overlooked giant of the jazz scene: Benny Carter, who not only was one of the great alto sax players ever, but was pretty good with the trumpet and writing pen as well. Here, the husky-voiced Pearl delivers a bakers dozen of material either written by or dedicated to the bandleader, of which Ms. Pearl was the vocalist way back when.
A couple vintage tunes include her days with Carter, with the alto saxist soloing on “Anniversary Dance” and a fun loving “Happy Feet (At The Savoy). The rest of the material has her with an adroit team of Lou Forestieri/p, Dave karasony-Jimmy Branly/dr and Chris Colangelo-Kenny Wild/b on songs that strut like “Scattin’ Back To Harlem” or get funky (“Doozy Blues’). Even better are the heartfelt duets with pianist Forestieri on the gorgeous “People Time” and the heartfelt title track. What’s amazing about this disc is that so few people have delved into the Carter Songbook; the material here is just unbelievably solid. Check it out!
Evening Star Records
www.deborahpearl.com