The Art of Vocalese

With the 2023 retirement of the Manhattan Transfer, Siegel is concentrating on her solo career. As the title suggests, this recording finds her singing lyrics to what were instrumental jazz tunes. It's always a challenge to create lyrics that fit in the often-tricky melodies and solos, and it can get tiring. On Charlie Parker's "Back To Barbados," which opens the album, Siegel sings vocalese master Jon Hendricks's lyrics of homesickness and escape from city life to both Parker's and Miles Davis's solos. Her vocal trio JaLaLa steps out front on "It's Sand, Man" and Raul Midón joins Siegel on "Bye Bye Blackbird," singing the Miles Davis solo before delivering a vocal trumpet solo of his own. The album concludes on a surprising note: a vocalese version of the Average White Band's 1974 pop hit "Pick Up The Pieces." Here as elsewhere, Siegel's voice stretches effortlessly to match the familiar melody.