Anaïs Reno: Lady of the Lavender Mist

Anaïs Reno continues to strengthen her reputation among the top young interpreters of the Great American Songbook with her album Lady of the Lavender Mist. Four years after her debut, Reno returns with greater vocal maturity, deeper interpretive insights, and support from a seasoned rhythm section featuring guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist David Wong and drummer Joe Farnsworth. This ensemble grounds the project in classic jazz values while allowing her plenty of space to shine as she performs a set of nine thoughtfully chosen compositions.

Reno opens the album with "Les Feuilles Mortes/The Autumn Leaves," which she sings partly in French. The original French lyrics are by Jacques Prévert, with Johnny Mercer writing the English version. Whether in English or French, Reno's clarity of tone and natural phrasing show her growth as an artist. Her delivery is relaxed and expressive, supported by the empathetic performance of the rhythm section. Benny Carter's composition "When Lights Are Low" highlights Reno's lively sense of swing, with her rhythmic phrasing flowing effortlessly over the groove. Bernstein and Wong give solos that expand on what the song's structure communicates.

The title track, "Lady of the Lavender Mist," is a bold choice, as it is one of Duke Ellington's more harmonically daring ballads. Here, Reno wrote the lyrics, which she performs with gentle intensity, while Bernstein's shimmering chords add atmospheric depth. Continuing with Ellington's impact on her musicianship, Reno includes the gem "Take Love Easy" in this recital. Reno's vocal maturity is on full display, understanding the song's advice without overselling it. Classical violinist Juliet Kurtzman takes a lengthy interlude, adding a melodic undertone that heightens the composition's message. On" Poinciana," Reno and the band wanted to pay homage to Ahmad Jamal's trio version of the number. But rather than lean into Jamal's hypnotic groove, the band wanted to take a more meditative path. The result is sultry and richly textured, which allows Reno to explore exotic overtones in the melody but remain true to the original's intent.

The album closes with "Kiss and Run," a snappy swing-inflected performance that reaffirms Reno's natural affinity for rhythm. Pushed along by Farnsworth's brisk drumming and Wong's double-time bass playing, Reno brings the program to a buoyant finish.