John and Kelly Fumo With Fumosonic: Grape

Long time studio whiz and sometimes avant-garde-er, trumpeter John Fumo, teams with the Fumosonic ensemble, including vocalist Kelly Fumo, to explore a set of Great American Songbook gems, laid down mostly in a mellow mood. The group approaches the familiar songs with reverence and sass, beginning with "Don't Wait Too Long," from the Blossom Dearie songbook. Trumpeter Fumo opens the tune muted, in a Prestige Records era Miles Davis mood. Kelly Fumo's vocal delivery is straight ahead—nothing fancy about it—but beautiful. The Fumosonic rhythm section swings slow and easy on the delicious ballad that sets the tone for the program.

"You Go To My Head " flows like molasses, with pianist Tony Campodonico sparkling behind a whispery, every woman vocal. "You Don't Know What Love Is," a melancholy instrumental, plays out as a wee hours rumination featuring Fumo unmuted, wringing the sadness out of each note. Hoagy Carmichael's "I Get Along Without You Very Well" finds Kelly Fumo telling, with a fragile bravado, the story of "doin' fine" after the breakup, with John Fumo firming up the resolve with a muscular trumpet solo.

Kelly Fumo engages these lyrics throughout convincingly—with a wistful vulnerability of "I Fall In Love Too Easily," a deep sense of longing on "Loverman," as well as disappointment and resignation on "The Thrill Is Gone."

The soulful "Peel Me A Grape" closes the set, swinging with a precision groove, given a sharp edge by Campodinco's electric keys, with a ghostly quality blowing from John Fumo's muted horn, wrapping up a superior show.