Home » Jazz Articles » Kevyn Lettau: Bye Bye Blackbird

Kevyn Lettau: Bye Bye Blackbird

By Stephen Latessa
August 4, 2005
Sign in to view read count

Bye Bye Blackbird is the first all-standards album by singer/songwriter Kevyn Lettau. Born in Germany but immigrating to the United States when she was fourteen, Lettau has an appealing surpassingly clear voice. The eleven performances on the disc were arranged by Dori Caymmi and often feature subtle Brazilian flavors that help give a sprightly feel to the album.

Those Brazilian influences pop up on a smooth take of "I Concentrate On You that features some tasteful, unobtrusive work on the Fender Rhodes by Russell Ferrante. The string arrangement artfully frames Lettau's vocals, and the great Paulhino Da Costa provides some nicely percolating percussion. On "It's Delovely, a duet for voice and bass, Jerry Watts, Jr.'s low murmuring compliments Lettau's bell-like tone nicely, offering a fine change of pace from the fuller band arrangements. "Sophisticated Lady, with backing solely by Caymmi on acoustic guitar, is similarly successful, yielding one of Lettau's loveliest efforts. A small point: although the performance is fine, I wish that a more venerable standard had been chosen in place of Joe Raposo's "Being Green. It simply doesn't measure up to the treasures that surround it.

Bye Bye Blackbird is a fine, tasteful effort from an artist with undeniable gifts. The arrangements and support from the band are sympathetic and sophisticated, providing a sturdy canvas for Lettau to work on.

Visit Kevyn Lettau on the web.

Track Listing

I've Got You Under My Skin; Bye Bye Blackbird; I Fall in Love Too Easily; Love You Madly; It Amazes Me; I Concentrate on You; It's Delovely; Being Green; Let's Fall in Love; Gone With the Wind; Sophisticated Lady.

Personnel

Kevyn Lettau: vocal; Dori Caymmi: acoustic guitar; Russell Ferrante: piano, electric piano; Jerry Watts, Jr.: electric bass; Mike Shapiro: drums; Paulinho da Costa: percussion; Larry Goldings: melodica on "Being Green;" Gina Kronstadt: concertmaster, violin; Peter Kent, Armen Garabedian, Berj Garabedian, Kathleen Robertson, Vladimir Polimatidi, Norm Hughs, Shari Zippert, Pam Gates, Adriana Zoppo, Cameron Patrick, Kristen Fife: violin; Bob Becker, Miriam Meyer, Novi Novog, Lynn Grants: viola; Larry Corbett, Stafanie Fife, Maurice Grants, Rudolph Stein: cello.

Album information

Title: Bye Bye Blackbird | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: MCG Jazz

Post a comment about this album

FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.