We Had A Moment
Summit, 2025
8/10
The Los Angeles jazz vocalist started thinking about this album while undergoing radiation for breast cancer, and not surprisingly it makes for her most personal release to date that welcomes an all star cast.
“Anyone Can Whistle” opens with Jeff Colella’s warm piano alongside Shulman’s intimate voice in the comforting climate, and “No Moon At All” follows with Kenny Wild’s playful bass that suits the colorful singing which builds into a melodic delivery.
The halfway spot belongs to “With So Little To Be Sure Of”, where a charming breeziness enters alongside Joe La Barbera’s fluid drums, while “Goodbye Love/Not Like This” is an emotive and sophisticated album highlight that allows Shulman’s voice to soar amid the heartfelt keys.
Residing close to the end, “Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea” is a more frisky moment that benefits from Larry Koonse’s radiant guitar, and “You Must Believe In Spring” exits with eloquence via the poetic singing and Terry Trotter’s touching piano.
Shulman is now cancer free, and she expresses irony, grief, grace and love across these songs that can swing and land in balladry, and it’s all executed with much care and timelessness.
Travels well with: Linda Dachtyl- Full Steam Ahead; Emma Hedrick- Newcomer