Gifted with not only a markedly personal, smoky timbre, as well as an understanding of the meaning of sophisticated lyrics, the no longer quite so well-kept secret that is Weslia Whitfield is finally breaking through the usually heavily guarded parapets of jazz insularity. A consummate pro undoubtedly treasured by the still lingering fans of Mabel Mercer and Julie Wilson, Whitfield proves that she can sing with genuine jazz feeling, as well as tread the same boards as the former queens of cafe society. Accompanied by her husband, pianist Mike Greensill, veteran altoman and flutist Gary Foster, and the stalwart rhythm of bassist Michael Moore and drummer Joe La Barbera, Whitfield here embraces twelve standards, including “Don’t Explain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Ev’rything I Love,” “Let’s Do It,” and “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye,” all in her easily recognizable, largely vibrato-free, cool timbre.
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