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Rose Mallett: Dreams Realized

by Richard J Salvucci
Rose Mallett has an intriguing story, and that history comes out in her singing. While she is a chameleon, channeling Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, she is also a powerhouse performer, witty and a born raconteur. One could think of a lot worse combinations in a jazz singer. Mallett seemingly knows how to work a room pretty well too. Born in Chicago, and growing up in Los Angeles, Mallett has a broad musical background that included ...
Continue ReadingMark Lewis: Sunlight Shines In

by Jack Bowers
Saxophonist/flutist Mark Lewis, who has returned to his native Washington state after years of making beautiful music around the world, escorts a quartet of talented West Coast musicians through eleven of his upbeat compositions on Sunlight Shines In, with trumpeter Nolan Shaheed sitting in on two numbers. Although Lewis' tunes won't widen any horizons, they are resolutely earnest and congenial and provide a pleasurable listening experience. Lewis plays alto sax on six tracks, flute on four, tenor ...
Continue ReadingSidney Jacobs: If I Were Your Woman

by Richard J Salvucci
Take a deep breath. Whether or not Sidney Jacobs came up with the somewhat offbeat title of this album (originally the property of Gladys Knight and the Pips) is irrelevant. What would matter is that there is a clear line of sonic and stylistic descent from Al Jarreau to Jacobs. Fans of Jarreau's style are going to enjoy Jacobs. He operates in a lower register and, all respect to Jarreau, with the same authority and, if anything, more power. Years ...
Continue ReadingThisbe Vos: Under Your Spell

by Edward Blanco
A Southern California Girl with a love of standards and romantic music, Thisbe Vos is not your typical female vocalist performing Louis Prima/ Keely Smith duets in a jazz band. Born in the Netherlands, Vos began exploring music by playing the harp and doing musical theatre and only after joining the British swing band, The Jive Aces, did she begin to embrace the style of love songs, ballads and swing that are the focus of her music. Her debut album ...
Continue ReadingThisbe Vos: Under Your Spell

by C. Michael Bailey
First, there is that name...Thisbe Vos. It is not merely exotic; it is something much more than that, something mythic. Dutch-born, living the dream in America's land of Milk and Honey--LA--Vos, by her looks, voice, repertoire, composing...demands attention, and gets it without ever raising her voice. Her debut, two years percolating, Under Your Spell is a fully realized throwback that doesn't sound a day over the rainbow. Made up of five standards and six smacking, swinging originals, Under Your Spell ...
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