Denise Donatelli: In the Company of Friends (2005)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

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Published: August 10, 2005

Denise Donatelli: In the Company of Friends

Denise Donatelli brings the rich texture of her voice and the subtle rhythmic stride of her phrasing to the forum through a program of familiar jazz standards on In the Company of Friends. Working with an all-star ensemble of Los Angeles veterans, she's comfortable with a balance of heartfelt interpretation and sparkling musical persuasion.

"You Don't Know What Love Is" proves sultry and exotic as the singer cools her delivery with whispered sighs and then builds the aura with powerful vocal punctuation. Sparkling with syncopated clusters, the music reinforces a lyric message that attempts to describe the way we feel when driven by emotion. Anxious chords and furious phrases strengthen the song's intentions.

"Send in the Clowns" brings a relaxed accompaniment into play in order to focus on Donatelli's hauntingly questioning lyric interpretation. The song represents a search. She prefers to maintain a mellow pace, bringing the song to its fruition without muss or fuss.

She's at her best with a fast romp like "This is New" or a sultry blues like Tom Garvin's "Roarin' Borin' Alice." Donatelli, convincing in her interpretation of lyrics and musically refreshing in her partnership with this all-star ensemble, gives her audience an affair to remember and comes recommended for her loyalty to the jazz backbone.

Visit Denise Donatelli on the web.

Track Listing: On Green Dolphin Street; The Thrill is Gone; 'Round Midnight; You Don't Know What Love Is; A Sleepin' Bee; Send in the Clowns; This is New; If You Could See Me Now; Dream Dancing; A Roarin' Borin' Alice; When Summer Turns to Snow.

Personnel: Denise Donatelli: vocals; Tom Garvin: piano; Tom Warrington: bass; Steve Houghton: drums; Peter Woodford: guitar; Clay Jenkins: trumpet; Andy Martin: trombone; Bob Sheppard: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; Tom Peterson: tenor saxophone; Brian Scanlon: alto flute; Brian Kilgore: percussion.

Record Label: Jazzed Media
Style: Vocal