Motherhood
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The singer and pianist Brenda Earle Stokes brings us songs that surround motherhood, where Ingrid Jensen, Evan Gregor, Ross Pederson, Melissa Stylianou and Nicole Zuraitis are in attendance for the 10 jazz spirited songs.
“The Endless Wait” opens the listen with Stokes’ soulful voice alongside Jensen’s glowing trumpet for the rich delivery, and “This Is Your Childhood” follows with mesmerizing keys and Pederson’s dynamic drumming that suits the eloquent climate.
“Kathleen” arrives in the middle and makes great use of bright storytelling and mature piano that allows for Stokes’ agile voice to shine, while “Loose Tooth Blues” indeed touches on the blues via the adventurous keys, animated singing and Gregor’s lively bass lines.
“Sharp Edges” lands close to the end, and uses spoken word that is quite relevant to any parent, and “Happy Mother’s Day” exits with the flowing rhythm section and melodic gestures illumating Stokes’ timeless craft.
A Canadian native who now calls New York home, the harmonic and improvisational ideas are complemented by theatre and protest song nods that mesh parenthood with jazz in very interesting ways.
Travels well with: Dan Loomis- Revolutions; Kari Van Der Kloot- Window