Keely Smith sounds as sweet and sprightly as ever. Recorded earlier this year, she interprets classic standards with a Southern California “who’s who” of big band artists in support. Recalling the legendary Count Basie Orchestra and adding strings, the album makes a genuine tribute to a powerful force in jazz’s history. Frank Collett’s swinging arrangement of “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” in particular, revives the embers with a hot hand. Standout soloists from the orchestra include Pete Christlieb on Smith’s slow and sultry interpretation of “How High the Moon,” and Andy Martin on two big band burners. The musical arrangements emphasize Basie’s swinging balance of solid brass, mellow saxophones, and a steady rhythmic foundation. A passionate medley of “The House I Live In” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” serves as a timeless reminder of everything jazz stands for. It’ll put tears in your eyes. While the program doesn’t fare as intimately as her nightclub performances do, Smith does bring back that familiar Basie sound with a unique flair that’s all her own. Highly recommended, this one offers something special for big band lovers as well as for those who appreciate a superb vocalist.
Track Listing
April In Paris; You Go To My Head; How Sweet It Is (to be Loved By You);
Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe; Lover; How High the Moon; I Can
Keely Smith- vocals; Dennis Michaels- leader, piano; Sal Lozano, Lanny
Morgan- alto saxophone; Pete Christlieb, Don Menza- tenor saxophone;
Bob Efford- baritone saxophone; Frank Szabo, Carl Saunders, Wayne
Bergeron, Pete Candoli- trumpet; Andy Martin, Chauncey Welsch-
trombone; Bryant Byers- bass trombone; Jim Self- tuba; Kirk Smith- bass;
Steve Barnes- drums; Barry Zweig- guitar; Frank Collett- piano; Ray
Kobler- concertmaster, violin; Kirstin Fife, Amy Hershberger, Jim Stark,
Jennifer Walton, Karen Jones, Liane Mautner, Irina Voloshina, Haim
Shtrum, Ronald Folsom- violin; Ray Tischer, Carrie Holzman, Carolyn
Riley- viola; Cecilia Tsan, Dane Little, Stephanie Fife- cello; Mike Valerio-
double bass; John Magnussen- percussion; Brad Kintcher, Paul
Klintworth, Trish Skys, Ian Donald- French horn.
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.
You Can 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.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.
Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues,The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.