Julia Danielle: Julia Danielle

Julia Danielle is a young Chicago-based singer whose debut album shows considerable promise. Aside from a limpid contralto voice, good time, and a dead-on resemblance in profile to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (it cannot hurt), she is the epitome of effortlessness and good taste in her approach to the Great American Songbook. One ultimately suspects she will find her métier singing in the intimate setting of a small room backed precisely by the sympathetic support of the small band she has put together here. It is harder to imagine her belting tunes out in front of a big band, competing with modern sidemen trained to part your hair. She is especially well framed by other voices, as she is in "I Want to Talk About You," where a listener could be pardoned thinking of The Manhattan Transfer," although whether or not Julia Danielle has the stage presence or solo chops of a Janis Siegel, who could raise some Hell in her prime, remains to be seen. But like any developing talent, time will tell. If she plays to her strengths, Ms. Danielle will make her audiences happy, because one easily thinks of successful vocalists who have less.

"Night and Day," "Embraceable You," and "There Will Never Be Another You" are all very much worth hearing, When Ms. Danielle allows herself to get slightly ahead of the beat, there is a genuine swing to her delivery, minus the annoying melismas she affects elsewhere.

The melody is a singer's friend. Attempting to improve on it, particularly at an early stage of a career, is rarely a good idea. Julia Danielle is one to watch in a field crowded with talent.