The Emily Masser Quintet: Songs With My Father

Rising vocal talent Emily Masser has already attracted positive attention from British jazz luminaries Claire Martin, Liane Carroll and Clark Tracey. This is no small feat for an artist who has recorded an album while still studying at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is also helped by having on-tap mentorship and artistic guidance from her father, the highly regarded saxophonist Dean Masser, who joins her on Songs With My Father to add another dimension to her rapidly ascending career.

She first came to attention on the Clark Tracey Quintet's album Introducing Emily Masser (StrayHorn Records, 2024). This shone the spotlight on her vocal abilities, receiving positive reactions and comparisons to Annie Ross. She now returns under the guise of The Emily Masser Quintet with an album dedicated to her late mother. She is joined by her father on saxophone and a top-notch rhythm section of pianist Matyas Gayer (Eddie Henderson, Scott Hamilton), bassist James Owston (Gwilym Simcock, Greg Abate) and drummer Steve Brown (UK) (Alan Barnes, Barry Harris).

The album mainly features her take on standards, many of them favourites of her mother. It is always a risk offering modern twists on some of the jewels of the jazz world, but Masser has the ambition, voice and maturity to inject new vigour and vitality into these classics. Masser opens the album with a playful rendition of "Old Devil Moon," displaying her original phrasing alongside impressive solos from Masser (the elder) and Gayer. She also puts her spin on Oscar Brown Jr.'s lyrics to Bobby Timmons "Dat Dere," a song that perfectly complements the father-daughter aspects of the album. Her rapid phrasing emphasises the clarity of her diction as the rest of the quintet locks into just the right level of swing.

Her warm-toned nostalgic vocals bring charm to the opening of "The Boy Next Door." The gentle swing is elevated when her father dials up the swing with a top-notch saxophone solo, followed by Gayer's piano and clever interplay from Owston and Brown. Two tracks take on a more personal and reflective tone: "Song For My Mother," composed by father and daughter, together with a beautiful version of "I'll Be Seeing You," a song Masser sang at her mother's funeral.

On "Room 608" and "Hackensack," the band unleashes their power, creating a fine backdrop for Masser's adventurous vocal improvisations. Her playful scatting, riffing against the band's energy, and her joy in performance are evident throughout. The album stands as both a tribute and a showcase of the empathy and connection between father and daughter. Masser's classy and mature vocal performance focuses on getting the most from the lyrics and adding a sparkle of freshness to classic songs. She is content to find her own path through the material, is totally assured of her range and suggests an artist whose creative journey carries much promise and potential for the future.

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