Fine. I’ll admit that I’m a “jazz sexist.” I get this cd, and on the jacket I see this cute blond (about my older daughter’s age) posing with her trumpet while looking into a sunset. First thought, “gotta be another smooth jazz artist, but at least she’s modestly dressed for the cover. Pop in the disc, hey! She’s got a nice sassy sound to her horn, and a swagger to her style. A song like “So This Is The Day” has her on a plunger mute that could get her in Ellington’s band, while her Crescent City grit is on display on “Chilliwack Cheer. “ She sings on about half of the tracks as well, with a winsome and folksy style, most impressively on a Latinized take of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi.” Very clever, as his her souped up reading of Eric satie’s “Gymnopdie.” The supporting team includes John Pizzarelli dueting on “I Wish I Hadn’t Forgotten” as wll as Wycliffe Gordon, Victor Goines and a cooking rhythm section which includes Jeff Lashway, who also does a charming piece with the leader on the closing “My Friend.” Good and impressive enough to have been done by an ugly pasty-faced white nerd!
Random Acts Records