Joyce Cobb with the Michael Jefry Stevens Trio: Joyce Cobb with the Michael Jefry Stevens Trio

If New York City is the cultural center of the universe, then Memphis, Tennessee is its crossroads, with the cutting edge and the traditional mingling in Memphis like two best friends. Jazz vocalist Joyce Cobb hails from Memphis, and that city's myriad of influences are evident in her singing. Certainly sophisticated as a jazz singer, Cobb's delivery has the slurring grit of the blues. It is the sound of her meaning business when she steps up to the microphone to sing.

The disc opens with Bobby Timmons' soul-jazz classic, "Moanin,'" with Jon Hendricks' lyrics. But this is no slick Lambert, Hendricks & Ross vocalese; Cobb blows a mean harmonica, and proceeds to preach the gospel of Philadelphia soul by way of the Memphis blues.

Cobb is the regular singer for the Michael Jefry Stevens trio, also centered in Memphis. Stevens is a soulful musician with a solid sense of swing and a crack ear for arrangement. He shares, with Horace Silver, an expansive tonal sound made more broad with careful, full-note soloing. Stevens and Cobb collectively address a large repertoire, from Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" to Thelonious Monk's "In Walked Bud," which are paired in a cleverly inspired and intertwined medley.

Cobb slays the Green/Manners lyrics to Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz." Stevens' cascading 3/4 stroll, coupled with Jonathan Wires' crack bass solo, establishes a breezy ambiance exploited by Cobb's easy delivery. Stevens solos on Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark," before launching in to Jon Hendricks' take on "Monk's Dream" ("Man, That Was A Dream") with Cobb. Cole Porter's 1938 "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" is a beautiful, libertine take on an old tune. In the smartest pairing offered, "I'm In The Mood For Love/Moody's Mood for Love" provides a solid vehicle for Cobb to display straight melody singing, followed by the highest level of jazz elaboration.

A sultry "It's Over Now (Well You Needn't)" closes the disc in Monkian style, showing that music with grit can also be multifaceted, and even pretty. It's warm in Memphis, and this recording makes it warmer.

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