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| AVAILABLE TODAY KATHY SANBORN “ROMANCE LANGUAGE” Kathy Sanborn's Romance Language is a set of her original ballads and poetic lyrics which discuss life's twists and turns while looking optimistically towards the future. The jazz-inspired singer-songwriter's warm vocalizing is accompanied by her keyboards and trumpeter Wayne Ricci. > Romance Language > by Richard J Salvucci > All About JazzJuly 11, 2025 > > > Over 60 years ago, the original television series, The Twilight Zone (Rod Serling, CBS, 1959-64), had an unusually memorable episode. Called "Passage for a Trumpet, " it featured Jack Klugman, alcoholic, down on his luck and suicidal. A trumpet player named Joey Crown uttered the memorable line, "This horn is half my language." OK. No spoiler. It is a spectacular performance, and now Kathy Sanborn has, in a way, produced an album based on it. The player for the episode was Uan Rasey, to whom Sanborn dedicates Romance Language. Rasey was special, Klugman was special and, for that matter, this recording is, in its way, special, too. Why Sanborn chose to honor Rasey this way only she can say, but he is a player worth remembering. > > Sanborn has been described as an "award-winning sultry jazz singer." The description is apt, for this slow-to-medium-tempo recording is full of good things. Sanborn writes and plays keyboards, and she mixed and produced this recording, which is actually her ninth release. The romance is a play on words, of course, since she records in Spanish, French and even a bit of Italian. Next, her listeners expect to hear Occitan, which will almost complete her mastery in Romance. All in all, very impressive. > > "Romance Language" is a tune dedicated to Uan Rasey, who is channeled throughout by trumpet player Wayne Ricci. Whether playing an open or muted horn, Ricci weaves the right tapestry around Sanborn's singing, a kind of late-night, noir, on-the-rooftop sound that works very well. "Never Blue, " "Sonrisa, " "Cambios" and "Si Bon" all preserve the same kind of atmospherics, the kind of warmth that decorates a day of sun-showers. "Sonrisa, " is, in fact, about the effect of a smile, fittingly enough. > > In sum, this is a minimalist production, but very satisfying. It leaves a listener wanting to hear more from this Berkeley-born, New-York-based singer. Artist: KATHY SANBORN Title: ROMANCE LANGUAGE Artist Website: www.kathysanborn.com www.kathysanborn.com/romance-language www.youtu.be/bzSyVWYZbZI Release Date: July 11, 2025 Label: Pacific Coast Jazz Catalog Number: PJ36125 UPC Code: 2916636125 TRACK LISTING 1. Romance Language (For Uan Rasey) 4:09 2. Never Blue 3:51 3. Sonrisa 3:35 4. Cambios 4:14 5. Si Bon (So Good) 3:47 6. Después De Las Lágrimas 3:56 7. El Viaje 4:32 8. Romance Language (Homage to a Trumpeter) 4:34 9. Otro 4:23 10. El Jardín De La Vida 3:28 Total time: 40:55 All music and lyrics by Kathy Sanborn (BMI) MUSICIANS: Kathy Sanborn - Vocals, piano, and keyboards, Wayne Ricci - Trumpet Kathy Sanborn, who has an inviting and highly appealing voice, composes songs (both the music and the lyrics) that speak to life's universal experiences. The award-winning performer introduces nine sophisticated pieces on Romance Language that are quietly emotional and often haunting. Her voice, whether singing in English, Spanish or French or wordlessly improvising, is not one that listeners will quickly forget. Joined by the tasteful trumpet playing of Wayne Ricci and her own supportive keyboards, Kathy Sanborn performs a memorable program of her new music. The opening selection, "Romance Language, " is a tribute to the masterful studio trumpeter Uan Rasey who is famed for his melancholy playing on the soundtrack of Chinatown and a countless number of other films. Trumpeter Ricci brings back Rasey's sound during this heartfelt tribute which is also reprised in a second and equally rewarding version. "Never Blue" is about a world-weary person who will not let herself be blue despite what might happen. "Sonrisa" speaks about the power of a smile, "Cambios" contemplates the constant changing and unpredictability of life while "Si Bon (So Good)" and "Después de Las Lágrimas" are about letting go of past experiences and enjoying the possibilities of the future. "El Viaje" is full of quiet excitement as the singer seeks new adventures, taking a train ride through life. Romance Language concludes with the bittersweet "Otro" (finding new love after the end of another relationship) and the upbeat "El Jardín de La Vida" which advises listeners to enjoy the beauty of nature and life while one can. Kathy Sanborn, the daughter of an amateur saxophonist, loved jazz from an early age. As a pianist and singer she performed in school plays and concerts while growing up. She made her first recording, Peaceful Sounds, in 2008 and has since released such popular albums as Small Galaxy (2010), Blues for Breakfast (2011), Six Degrees of Cool(2012), Sultry Night (2013), Fantasía (2014), 2015's Lights Of Laniakea (its single "Fantasy" won that year's American Songwriting Award), and Recollecting You (2017). A single from the latter album, "Falling, " won a Clouzine International Music Award for Best Jazz Song. In addition, she has released several singles independently of her albums including "Love Will Light The Way, " "Three Days Of The Condor, " "America The Beautiful, " "The Best Is Yet To Come, " and "I'll Do Anything." Romance Language will certainly please fans of Kathy Sanborn's sultry and accessible singing while gaining her new followers. write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |