April
Cellar, 2024
8/10
The debut album from the jazz vocalist and composer April Varner, the 11 songs here illustrate much talent for the youngster, as she puts her on own spin on songs with the word ‘April’ in them.
“April Blues” opens with Reuben Rogers’ carefully plucked bass alongside Varner’s stunning and expressive voice that carries much intimacy, and “I’ll Remember April” follows with Dayna Stephens’s bright tenor sax and Miguel Russell’s drum acrobatics complementing the lively and diverse singing.
Moving into the middle, “April Give Me One More Day” welcomes Caelan Cardello’s mature keys via the sophisticated and heartfelt landscape, while “Sometimes It Snows In April” allows for Varner’s gorgeous delivery to do justice to the Prince classic.
Residing close to the end, “Lost April” is a particularly moving moment that benefits much from Benny Benack III’s trumpet, and “Who Let April Back Into My Dreams?” exits with the drums, keys and bass highlighting the poetic singing of an excellent original.
A very clever first album for the 26 year old, Varner clearly has a lengthy and esteemed career ahead of her in the area of jazz, if these reflective and timeless songs are any indication.
Travels well with: Ken Peplowski- Live At Mezzrow; Roger Kellaway- Live At Mezzrow