Since arriving in New York City,
Tessa Souter
has built a dedicated following. She was a relative latecomer to jazz, taking time out to raise a family at a young age and work as a journalist before studying at the Manhattan School of music and privately with vocal great
Mark Murphy
, though she has developed into a formidable singer in a relatively short time.
Souter
's gorgeous, natural vocals never show pretension or gimmickry, while her taste in songs is amazingly wide-ranging and occasionally risk-taking. For these 2008 sessions, her accompanists include the brilliant pianist
Kenny Werner
(who works especially well with vocalists), saxophonist
Joel Frahm
, Brazilian guitarist
Romero Lubambo
, veteran first-call bassist
Jay Leonhart
, and the in-demand drummer
Billy Drummond
.
's lush treatment of
"Close Enough for Love"
captures the essence of this beautiful standard (a favorite of the late
Shirley Horn
and many others). The haunting setting of
"Morning of the Carnaval"
opens with
Werner
's elegant piano and
Leonhart
's mournful arco bass, while
's spacious, lovely performance is also complemented by
Frahm
's moving soprano sax. The vocalist uncovered a gem in
Benny Carter
's neglected
"Key Largo,"
which she casts in a setting that suggests a midnight stroll along the beach with her lover. But
is at her most stunning when she tackles songs that one doesn't normally hear in a jazz setting. Her infectious, slinky take of
Van Morrison
's
"Moondance"
opens with her sexy vocals over
's walking bass, with judicious use of reverb that is never overdone.
John Lennon
"Imagine"
has long been a pop standard, though jazz arrangements have been few and mostly disappointing, but
is buoyed by her imaginative rhythm section, though she takes few liberties with it until she is well into the song.
will win you over, as well, if you give her the opportunity. ~ Ken Dryden