Night at the Speakeasy

It's bands, and albums, like these that kindle your first love for jazz. Vocalist Svetlana Shmulyian swings and sings with a team of Adrian Cunningham/woodwinds, Charlie Caranicas/tp, Dalton Ridenhour/p, Vinny Raniolo/g, George Delancey/b, Rob Garcia/dr and guest Wycliffe Gordon/tb for a snappy set of standards and originals.

Shmuylian's got a snap to her delivery, and her clear enunciation gets playful on pieces like her own "All I Want" or a clever "It's All Good (Big Noise)." The band has a nice swanky attitude, while Gordon does some fun duets with the lady on "You Won't Be Satisfied" and "Under a Blanket of Blue" while she goes into the Russian language on a coy and alluring read of the obscure "You Are Like A Song." Other pleasant surprises include a warm read of The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" and The Beatles' "Because" bridging generations and oceans in a single album. The session is produced by Guy Eckstine, son of famed singer Billy, so he knows a few things of how a swinging singer should deliver. A fun time guaranteed for all!