Send For Me
Dot Time, 2022
8/10
The Grammy Nominated vocalist Catherine Russell clearly enjoys romantic music that swings, and here, along with a large cast of musicians, she interprets some you may have never heard before, but will want to hear again.
“Did I Remember” opens the listen with Mark Shane’s warm piano, John Allred’s soulful trombone and Evan Arntzen’s reed prowess in the nostalgic swing setting that seems like it should emanate from a speakeasy, and “Send For Me” follows with Mark Lopeman and Aaron Heick’s well timed tenor saxophones as the spirited guitar complements Russell’s expressive pipes.
Further down the line, “Going Back To New Orleans” recruits Phillip Norris on tuba for the frisky jazz climate, while “If I Could Be With You” showcases Shane Mason on piano and Matt Munisteri on banjo in the jazz meets the mountains formula.
Approaching the end, “Blue And Sentimental” offers a poetic and emotive album highlight, and “Million Dollar Smile” exits the listen with Mason on piano and Munisteri’s meticulous finger picking, as Russell’s flawless voice makes an indelible impression.
This is Russell’s 8th album as leader, and it sure is charming and inviting jazz vocal sounds that touch on the blues, too, and resonates profoundly with the heart.
Travels well with: Kristen Lee Sergeant- Falling; Alex Hamburger- And She Spoke