Ginetta's Vendetta: Fun Size

Sometimes, it is best to ignore a recording's graphics and just concentrate on the music. This is really the case with Ginetta's Vendetta Fun Size which well-intentioned or not, is apt to lead to a double entendre misunderstanding.

Ginetta Minichiello may be short of stature, coming in at 5 feet (1.5 meters) and uses a pocket trumpet, but she can play some. You may not be inclined to forget any of the standard luminaries of the trumpet, but Ms M, albeit with a lot more vibrato, comes in sounding more than a little like late Dizzy Gillespie minus the fireworks. Some of the tracks, especially "Ginetta" ride in over Dizzy-like changes, and her "There Will Never Be Another You" is akin to some of Gillespie's later work on open horn, with similar phrasing, accenting and articulation. "Black Orpheus" in particular is a good outing. Ms M finally get to stretch out a bit, and her chorus is tasteful, logical and well done.

The rest of her band, especially Danny Walsh on saxophone, blend in nicely. Jon Davis has a particularly listenable solo on this track as well. When the band reenters, things come to a pointed, if unexpected conclusion. "Tell Your Story Walkin'" features Walsh and bassist Belden Bullock, with a bluesy intervention by Ms M. The whole business swings. A trumpet player raises the bar considerably with "All Blues." Although Walsh channels John Coltrane with the first solo, Ms M acquits herself with a nice muted solo and the band seems inclined to go double time. This is where Ginetta Minichiello becomes vocalist and by the standards of some trumpet players, does ok. For some, "Little Sunflower" will be a high point, not only for Ms M, but for the band itself, with Miss M touching the right plaintive note in the out chorus.

Whether or not a listener warms to Ginetta M as vocalist is really a matter of taste. Sarah Vaughan more or less owns that corner of the market, and nobody owns Sarah Vaughan. Listen to her do "Misty" and decide.

This is a good job from a player who, as they say, deserves wider attention.

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