Power. Dee Dee Bridgewater is as formidable a vocalist as anyone singing. She is the Jackie Joiner of jazz vocalists. Her athletic style is infectious and she proves she is one of the few who jazz vocalists who can effectively scat and use other Betty Carter-like fireworks. Her scatting is superb, mimicking a trombone on “Stairway to the Stars” and a saxophone on “Cherokee”. Her ballad singing and upbeat singing are equal in intensity. She may be the best-rounded and unique jazz vocalists singing today. Her support is excellent, never (as if they could) getting in the way of Bridgewater. Eliez’s organ on “Cherokee” is worth the full price Verve puts on their discs. Her banter with the crowd is engaging and in no way takes away form this absolutely superb vocal offering.