Jazz
vocalist
Jeff Baker
's third CD for
OA2
is a perfect example of a confident young singer willing to explore music from many different genres so long as the tunes are promising. Backed by a great band that includes saxophonist
Brent Jensen
, pianist
Bill Anschell
, and drummer
John Bishop
(all of whom were present on his second release for the label), plus bassist
Jeff Johnson
,
Baker
is never predictable in his approach to any song and generously features his musicians (particularly
Anschell
and
Jensen
) at length. His dreamy setting of the
standard
"In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning"
is matched by the well-crafted arrangement of
Carole King
's
"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"
that transforms this 1960s
pop
song into true
jazz
material.
is also a master singing
vocalese
to
Charlie Parker
"Billie's Bounce"
or scatting to
Miles Davis
'
"All Blues"
with authority. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden