Military band veterans present a bluesy-gospely, visceral, female vocal led dynamic with trumpet, piano, bass & drums

Military band veterans (Army Blues, Airmen of Note, Army Jazz Ambassadors) present a bluesy-gospely, visceral, female vocal led dynamic with trumpet, piano, bass & drums that'll have you feeling originality, yet the familiarity of the feel of some of the classic jazz and vocalists of all time:

Craig Fraedrich - trumpet and flugelhorn
Christal Rheams - vocal
Tony Nalker - piano
Paul Henry - bass
Todd Harrison - drums

Some descriptors:
Avalon: Vocalist, Christal's 'Anita O'Day' influenced vocal over the stagnant harmony creates a more mournful quality than what is usually associated with this tune.
All Through the Night;This old lullaby is reharmonized, arranged and performed with references to the quintessential Lil' Darling.

Strange Fruit: The chart I brought in was pretty close to a straight homage to Billie Holiday and while it doesn't lose that quality, Christal's (vocalist) mix of Billie and Nina Simone influences and Tony's compositional realization and development of the harmony really frames the text beautifully.
Frankie and Johnny: 3/4, gospel, Mingus-esq 'Better Git Hit' kind of version that is fun to play. Great drum solo over the form.
I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger: A straight 8th version of this traditional spiritual
Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child: The other 'ECM' spiritual on the album. Lots of interaction, ebb, flow and shape without resorting to any overt gestures or affectations. A mature and melodic cut.
The Gospel Truth: Blues with a few chromatic secondary dominants. Just a little preaching to the choir...
Nobody Knows the Trouble I See: Bill Evans feel and it worked great. Muted trumpet. Great feel, bass and piano solos. Really a nice and balanced cut all around.

Track Listing

• Avalon
• Smile
• Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
• Without a Song
• The Gospel Truth
• Frankie and Johnny
• Strange Fruit
• Blues Another Day
• Wayfaring Stranger
• Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
• St. James Infirmary Blues
• All Thorugh the Night

Additional Details

Label: Summit Records

Genre: Jazz

Language: English

Run Time: 64 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 04/07/17

UPC: 099402698922