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| Sarah McKenzie Without You (Normandy Lane Music) Singer-pianist Sarah McKenzie releases Without You, a beautiful album of Brazilian jazz that includes four originals, several Antonio Carlos Jobim songs, and a few other classics. With important roles for such greats as guitarist Romero Lubambo, drummer Peter Erskine, and Jobim's original cellist Jaques Morelenbaum, Without You conveys Sarah McKenzie's love for Brazilian music and culture. Artist: SARAH McKENZIE Title: WITHOUT YOU Artist Website: https://www.sarahmckenzie.info https://normandylanemusic.com Release Date: October 27, 2023 Label: Normandy Lane Music Catalog Number: NLL002 UPC Code: 5060676310013 TRACK LISTING 1. The Gentle Rain Luiz Bonfá, Matt Dubey 4:27 2. Corcovado (Quiet Nights) Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees 5:02 3. The Voice of Rio Sarah McKenzie 3:02 4. Mean What You Say Sarah McKenzie 2:08 5. Fotografia Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ray Gilbert 3:49 6. Quoi, Quoi, Quoi Sarah McKenzie 3:35 7. Once I Loved Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ray Gilbert 4:20 8. Without You Romero Lubambo, Sarah McKenzie 4:19 9. Wave Antonio Carlos Jobim 5:04 10. Dindi Antonio Carlos Jobim, Aloysio de Oliveira 4:32 11. The Girl from Ipanema Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel 4:27 12. Chega de Saudade Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes 4:26 13. Bonita Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees, Ray Gilbert 4:07 14. Modinha Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes 2:34 MUSICIANS: SARAH McKENZIE - vocals, piano, JAQUES MORELENBAUM - cello, ROMERO LUBAMBO - guitar, PETER ERSKINE - drums, GEOFF GASCOYNE - bass, ROGERIO BOCCATO - percussion, BOB SHEPPARD - flute, sax Sarah McKenzie, a world traveler from Australia who is now based in Los Angeles, recorded five impressive jazz albums that have delighted her growing audience. Her latest project, Without You, displays her love for the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Oscar Peterson and Michel Legrand but avoids being a typical "tribute to Brazil" album. McKenzie's fresh ideas, inventive reworking of classic music and sense of adventure fill Without You with subtle surprises and builds upon the Brazilian tradition rather than just repeating the past. This project originated in 2020 when Sarah McKenzie recorded "Corcovado (Quiet Nights)" with guitarist Romero Lubambo and cellist Jaques Morelenbaum as a trio. The reception to their Facebook video was so favorable that they performed at several European jazz festivals. For Without You, McKenzie added bassist Geoff Gascoyne (who had worked with Michel Legrand and Jamie Cullum), drummer Peter Erskine, and percussionist Rogerio Boccato plus guest Bob Sheppard on flute and soprano sax. The all-star group begins Without You with a quietly sensual version of "Gentle Rain." On "Corcovado, " the blend between the singer's clear and very attractive voice with Morelenbaum's cello is haunting. Sarah McKenzie contributed four originals that build upon the legacy of Jobim and Joao Gilberto: "The Voice Of Rio, " the fast samba "Mean What You Say, " a playful "Quoi, Quoi, Quoi, " and "Without You" for which she composed the sensitive lyrics to Lubambo's melody. Morelenbaum contributed the arrangements to beautiful versions of "Dindi, " "Bonita" and "Fotografia." Also included are a tender "Once I Loved, " an infectious "Wave, " a unique suite-like version of "The Girl From Ipanema" which covers a variety of moods, the joyful "Chega De Saudade (No More Blues)" and, to close, the pianist-singer performing "Modinha" as a solo piece. Sarah McKenzie grew up in Australia, taking classical piano lessons from the age of five. A teacher introduced her to rock, the blues, and boogie-woogie when she was nine. At 15 she experienced the turning point of her life when she heard Oscar Peterson's Night Train record, knowing that that was what she wanted to do with her life. She also loved Gene Harris and Ahmad Jamal. Sarah developed into a very skilled jazz pianist and a highly appealing singer. She was inspired by such storytelling pianist-singers as Shirley Horn, Nat King Cole, Harry Connick Jr. and Blossom Dearie. Sarah was formerly trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and won the Generations in Jazz Vocal scholarship, an Aria (Australian Grammy), and a Bell Award in Australia. She first came to America in 2012 when she was awarded a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music. Sarah signed with the Impulse! label, went on tours worldwide, and realized one of her dreams by playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival. She spent periods living and working in Paris and London, and recorded five well-received albums: Don't Tempt Me, Close Your Eyes, We Could Be Lovers, Paris In The Rain, and Secrets Of My Heart. The release of Without You, a major step forward for the talented Sarah McKenzie, will delight lovers of Brazilian jazz. write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |