Out of the Shadows; Maureen Kennedy, vocals.
\nIf you\u2019ve read these reviews for an extended period of time, it\u2019ll come as no surprise to hear me reiterate my preference for singers who avoid glitz, glitter, froth and frosting; singers with the life experience and natural jazz chops to deliver the meaning of a quality lyric rather than just glossing over it. Kennedy is such a singer. No flash, no fancy footwork. She sings it like she means it. The quartet accompanying her, led by the silky guitar of Reg Schwager, is totally dialed in. And with Kennedy\u2019s flawless phrasing and unforced intimacy, there\u2019s a lot to like in her renditions of top-tier selections such as \u201cCloudy Morning,\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s a Lull in My Life,\u201d \u201cHow Can We Be Wrong,\u201d \u201cLucky So And So\u201d and two real rarities, the Gershwins\u2019 \u201cMy One and Only,\u201d and Andre Previn\u2019s \u201cJust for Now.\u201d Kennedy is that rare presence, a real jazz singer; and her new CD is a winner. George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon, May 2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Out of the Shadows; Maureen Kennedy, vocals. If you\u2019ve read these reviews for an extended period of time, it\u2019ll come as no surprise to hear me reiterate my preference for singers who avoid glitz, glitter, froth and frosting; singers with … Continue reading