Duchess: A Marvelous Party

A great party is never just an event. It is a sequence of emotions, encounters, expectations, surprises, fleeting romances, moments of reflection, and, ultimately, gratitude. On A Marvelous Party, Duchess (Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner, Melissa Stylianou) transforms that universal experience into an irresistible jazz journey. More than a collection of standards and popular songs, this is a carefully conceived concept album that traces the cycle of a memorable gathering from invitation to farewell.

Throughout the program, arranger Oded Lev-Ari proves indispensable. His charts make superb use of the outstanding ensemble: pianist Michael Cabe, guitarist Jesse Lewis, bassist Matt Aronoff, drummer Jared Schonig, alto and soprano saxophonist Erica von Kleist, tenor saxophonist Jason Rigby, baritone saxophonist Owen Broder, trumpeter Summer Camargo, and trombonist Nick Finzer. This five-horn section provides colour, punch and elegance, while the rhythm section swings with effortless authority.

The festivities begin with the exuberant "This Could Be the Start of Something Big," a perfect curtain-raiser brimming with anticipation and possibility. From there, Duchess immediately sets the album's playful tone. Songs such as "Lucky Day" and "Are You Having Any Fun?" celebrate the playful optimism that accompanies the opening hours of any successful soirée. The trio's vocal blend sounds effortless, evoking the feeling of friends gathering for an evening of shared pleasure.

The influence of the Rat Pack era is impossible to miss. Duchess embraces the sophisticated swagger of that tradition while infusing it with a distinctly modern perspective. The Jimmy Van Heusen-Sammy Cahn number "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" was a feature for  Dean Martin in the 1960 film Ocean's 11 and sparkles with wit and confidence, its infectious swing capturing the giddy exhilaration of a party finding its rhythm.

As the evening progresses, romance inevitably enters the picture. Cole Porter's "It's All Right With Me" perfectly captures these possibilities. Duchess explores the theme, balancing flirtation and sophistication with remarkable finesse. The title is inspired by Noel Coward's "I Went to a Marvelous Party," which is presented as spoken commentary by the members of Duchess, full of witty observations on the evening's colourful characters and absurd situations.

The album wisely recognizes that every celebration eventually invites reflection. The Peggy Lee hit "Is That All There Is?" by Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber introduces a note of wistful ennui as the women of Duchess trade spoken-word verses before reuniting for the choruses. Their interpretation is a reminder that even the happiest occasions carry traces of impermanence.

The closer is "Danke Schoen," a gracious farewell. Rather than treating the number as a maudlin event, Duchess knocks it out, expressing appreciation for the people, memories and experiences that made the gathering worthwhile.

The album succeeds because it understands that swing, humour, romance and reflection all belong at the same table.