jazz.com 

May 22, 2009

MARK SALESKI, Reviewer

 

Jennifer Lee, Quiet Joy (SBE)

Somehow, sultry Brazilian rhythms manage to be both relaxing and energizing. That's certainly the way I feel about the title track from Jennifer Lee's new album. The promotional material indicates that Lee was inspired by her new 7-string guitar (Boy, am I jealous!) and by the rustic beauty of the town of Elk, in Mendocino County. Music from Rio by way of California? Yes, and the secret here is not the easy slink of Lee's band (in particular, Paul Ramirez on percussion), but in Lee's absolutely gorgeous wordless vocalizations. When she's singing them alone, Astrud Gilberto is not far from my mind. When she harmonizes with herself, she conjures memories of the duo of Mark Ledford and David Blamires of the Pat Metheny Group. These references make no difference though, because your ears will be swept away on the wave of beautiful vocals.

Mark Saleski

 

 

Downloadable Media Players

The above .pdf file can be viewed and printed using the free Adobe Reader. If you do not already have it, click on the following link: