You Must Believe in Spring
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
Listen to You Must Believe In Spring
An accomplished Musical Theatre performer both on and off Broadway, though this is Sue Anne Gershenzon’s debut jazz recording, the veteran artist brings us on an adventure that’s timeless, relatable and backed by an all star cast including Joel Frahm, Dave Meade, and Glafkos Kontemeniotis, among many others.
“I Thought About You” starts the listen with soft horns and agile keys as Gershenzon’s pretty, glassy smooth vocals steer the playful jazz opener, and “With So Little To Be Sure Of” continues the setting with much elegance as the mood shifts to sublime balladry.
Moving along, “When Sunny Gets Blue” offers an emotive and powerful display of timeless jazz, while “A Child Is Born” recruits an almost cinematic quality as strings add much grace. “Good Morning Heartache”, the album’s best, then benefits greatly from Ryan Keberle’s trombone in the slow burning climate.
At the end, “East Of The Sun” swings with a frisky pace of crisp. flowing instrumentation and the title track exits the listen with a bare approach that truly showcases Gershenzon’s incredible vocal skill while gentle keys from Kontemeniotis complement the heartfelt finish.
Gershenzon has done much in her very colorful and esteemed career, and now she can also say she’s released an exceptional, inspiring jazz record as she makes each of the 11 standards here her own.
Travels well with: Sharon Isbin- Affinity; Diane Schuur- Running On Faith