Blossom-ing!
Village Jazz Café, 2022
8/10
The 10th album from the award winning jazz vocalist Roberta Donnay, who returns with Mike Greensill (piano), Ruth Davies (bass), Mark Lee (drums), Jose Neto (guitar), David Sturdevant (harmonica) and MB Gordy (percussion) for these 16 diverse and exciting tracks.
“Roberta’s Blues” starts the listen with warm piano alongside Donnay’s sugary sweet vocals and the playfully plucked bass, and “Peel Me A Grape” follows with skilled drumming and Donnay’s unique delivery making for a stylish and inviting version of the Dave Frishberg tune.
Further along, “Inside A Silent Tear” recruits MB Gordy’s elegant percussion for the intimate and poetic climate, while “The Party’s Over” bops and shakes with a dance floor ready energy that benefits much from clever bass and charming keys.
Deeper still, “Spring In Manhattan” spotlights Sturdevant’s spirited harmonica in the romantic and lush album highlight, and “Put On A Happy Face” exits with a very fun and memorable spin on the classic thanks to Donnay’s timeless jazz appeal.
All the songs here are associated with the late jazz singer Blossom Dearie, who Donnay takes inspiration from and pays homage to with her superb backing band of Northern California’s finest.
Travels well with: Melissa Stylianou- Dream Dancing; Laura Karst- Dancing In Darkness