Joel Siegel

It’s difficult to explain why English singer-songwriter-keyboardist-arranger Georgie Fame isn’t regarded as a topflight male jazz vocalist: he’s easily the peer of Mark Murphy and … Read More “Georgie Fame: Poet in New York”

Brooklyn-born, Montreal-based Ranee Lee retains traditional virtues that most contemporary, jazz-oriented singers have abandoned: professionalism, humor, discipline, unpretentiousness. No doubt these old-school qualities serve her … Read More “Ranee Lee: Dark Divas: Highlights”

Morocco-bred, San Francisco-based cabaret singer Raquel Bitton’s fifth album features 16 songs drawn from the repertoire of the legendary French chanteuse, Edith Piaf. Backed by … Read More “Raquel Bitton: Sings Edith Piaf: The Golden Album”

If as much attention had been paid to the content of Jane Monheit’s debut CD as was lavished on its glamour-girl packaging, Never Never Land … Read More “Jane Monheit: Never Never Land”

Until the release of this vibrant live album, Dianne Reeves’ recordings have failed to capture the beauty and energy of her club and concert performances. … Read More “Dianne Reeves: In the Moment: Live in Concert”

Mark Murphy is arguably the most influential jazz singer of his generation, not only as an artistic inspiration for younger performers but as a teacher, … Read More “Mark Murphy: Some Time Ago”

Asking a voice-and-piano duo to sustain interest for nearly 70 minutes is a daunting request that Murphy and pianist Benny Green do their best to … Read More “Mark Murphy featuring Benny Green: Dim the Lights”

Kevin Mahogany’s fans are likely to feel scammed by this CD. Judging by the cover portrait of the singer and his top billing, one would … Read More “Kevin Mahogany: Pussy Cat Dues: The Music of Charles Mingus”

Either this CD is a joke, as implied by the vocalist’s last name, or a misbegotten vanity production. Singing with the spare accompaniment of only … Read More “Phil Kidder: Simple Pleasures”

As anyone who has witnessed her will attest, Dee Dee Bridgewater is a spellbinding live performer. Having distinguished herself in jazz, musical theater and FM … Read More “Dee Dee Bridgewater: Live at Yoshi’s”

Husband-and-wife team pianist-arranger Chip Crawford and singer Eve Cornelious are highly schooled artists who feel compelled to demonstrate their hip erudition in every bar of … Read More “Eve Cornelius and the Chip Crawford Trio: I Feel Like Some Jazz Today”

Has there ever been a vocal recording of any kind featuring a repertoire as diverse as compositions by Henry Purcell, Fletcher Henderson, Charles Mingus, Ornette … Read More “Mary LaRose/Ledhead: Walking Woman”

Hollywood actor-director-singer James Darren’s collection of standards spins off from his stint playing holographic Vegas crooner Vic Fontaine on the TV series Star Trek: Deep … Read More “James Darren: This One’s From the Heart”

Evenly split between standards and originals, When September Comes showcases Lisa Michel’s songwriting and performing talents. Her compositions are musically and emotionally challenging, outfitting jagged … Read More “Lisa Michel: When September Comes”

Singer-pianist Ace Harris’ daughter and trumpeter-bandleader Erskine Hawkins’ niece, Asa Harris continues her family’s musical heritage in her debut album. Harris’ experience as a stage, … Read More “Asa Harris: All in Good Time”

Maxine Sullivan’s 1937 recording of “Loch Lomond” made her an overnight star with major label contracts, her own CBS radio show and a featured role … Read More “Maxine Sullivan: The “Le Ruban Bleu” Years: The Complete Recordings 1944-1949″

Love Always finds Sullivan, a month shy of her 76th birthday, sounding as sprightly as ever on a tasty program of upbeat rhythm tunes and … Read More “Maxine Sullivan: Love Always”

Mosaic’s first all-vocal release, The Complete Peggy Lee & June Christy Capitol Transcription Sessions, makes available obscure early material by these jazz-oriented singers. Transcriptions were … Read More “Peggy Lee/June Christy: The Complete Peggy Lee & June Christy Capitol Transcription Sessions”

Technically speaking, June Christy’s singing, with its wavery intonation, stiff time, forced diction and hoarse timbre, left much to be desired. But her recordings, including … Read More “June Christy: The Song is You”

In the ’50s and ’60s, Irene Kral recorded with Maynard Ferguson, Herb Pomeroy and Junior Mance, but remained in the shadow of her older brother, … Read More “Irene Kral: Where is Love”