The CD, Come And Get It from stride pianist Judy Carmichael marks her debut as a singer. The internationally-acclaimed musician and Grammy Award nominated performer has been a prominent figure on jazz music’s dais for a number of years, in addition to hosting Sirius/XM Radio’s program, Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired. Come And Get It boasts a litany of ballroom-jazz standards like Fats Waller’s “Come And Get It” and Duke Ellington’s “Wanderlust.” Joining Carmichael on the recording are Mike Hashim on saxophone, Jon-Erik Kelko on coronet, Nik Payton on clarinet, Dave Blenkhorn on guitar, Dan Barnett on trombone, Ed Ornowski on drums, and Tony Monte on piano. Carmichael is like a brilliant pastry-chef, she may leave the basic recipe of the pieces in tact but brother can she make them even more appetizing than the original confections creating more heavenly frostings and delectable fillings. She is a contemporary chef who understands the ins and outs of making a luscious repertoire.

Carmichael’s material can easily crown her as a contessa of jazz. Eschewing the hyperboles that come with having a jazz pedigree, Carmichael has a down to earth presence on the album, spangled with organic exchanges, frolicking sprees and frilly ballroom fanfare. The finger-snapping beats of “All The Cats” are blanketed in whirling horns and a bluegrassy luster in the frothy guitar feathers while haloed by Carmichael’s sexy vocal strut. The springy piano keys have a rosy complexion and a saloon-vibed shading in “Love Is Just Around The Corner,” while bubbling over with a river-boat party zing in “Minor Drag.”

The serene aura permeating from the delicate tendrils of “Memories Of You” and “Gee Baby” move gingerly like a ballroom waltz while scaffold in lacy wavelets. The peppy tempo of the title track stirs a lively banter between the horns and piano making for an atmosphere fraught with celebratory pumping. The bluesy sails of the guitar chords in “You’re Driving Me Crazy” are silhouette in softly beaded grooves, while “Boisdale Blues,” an original tune penned by Judy Carmichael, is stoked by the whirlpool cycling of Carmichael’s keys holstered by rampant jive-kicks. The slinky flickers of the horns in “Wanderlust” are perched in waltzing glides, and the gentle glow of “Everything But You” is calming as Carmichael’s voice lures the listener in with “You gave me a dream to room with… everything but you.”

Judy Carmichael delivers a tasty selection of ballroom inspired confections. Her sound is contemporary while she re-sets some of classic jazz’s finest gemstones. She makes jazz music feel lovely and perceptive of human emotions. Her performance is both down to earth and classy, and her command of the piano keys is A-class. Her name belongs in jazz music’s annals alongside the legendary Hoagy Carmichael whom Judy has no relation to, but her performance is equally arousing and deserving of legendary status.