Newcomer
Pathways To Jazz, 2025
8/10
Though this might be her debut album, the jazz vocalist Emma Hedrick has already picked up plenty of awards and performed all over the US and Europe, which makes sense since these originals sure seem like the work of a seasoned vet.
“The Idea Of Love” opens with Thor Eide Johansen’s playful bass plucking alongside Hedrick’s smooth and romantic singing that recruits Connor Rohrer’s warm keys, and “Dreamscapes” follows with Anton Kot’s animated drums that suit David Sneider’s soulful trumpet and the emotive singing.
Halfway through, “Tone Poem In Greenwich Village” makes great use of Shane McCandless’ rich sax amid the poetic pipes, while “Spring Haiku Collection” welcomes Peter Eldridge’s mature keys and voice, as well as Alexandra Dewalt’s expressive flute and heartfelt singing for the album’s best.
Further yet, “Come On Home” allows for Andrew Tinch’s meticulous guitar to align with Hedrick’s pretty vocals, and “Waste No More Days” exits with a frisky energy via Amy Azzara and Faith Quashie’s playful voices that complement the rhythmic backdrop.
An artist with a knack for storytelling, Hedrick cites Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington as influences, and her modern approach to vocal jazz results in an excellent first album.
Travels well with: Jennifer Lee- Glimpse; Judy Whitmore- Let’s Fall In Love