Jazz / Vocal, Standards, Traditional Pop, Vocal Jazz
Pamela Luss - Vocals
Barney McAll Arranger, Piano
Christopher Hughes Arranger
Cindy Mizelle Vocals (Background)
Daniel Sadownick Percussion
David Wakefield French Horn
Denise Barbarita Assistant
Earl Gardner Trumpet
Fred Kevorkian Mastering
Gary Fisher Piano, Arranger
Gary Smulyan Sax (Baritone)
Gregory Hutchinson Drums
Jeremy Pelt Trumpet
Josiah Gluck Mixing
Keiji Obata Design
Kim Clarke Bass
Lou Holzman Engineer
Marc Urselli Assistant Engineer
Mulgrew Miller Piano
Nilson Matta Bass
Paulette McWilliams Vocal Producer, Vocals (Background)
Richie Goods Bass
Romero Lubambo Arranger, Guitar
Russell Malone Guitar
Seamus Blake Sax (Tenor)
Sharon Bryant Vocals (Background)
Steve Turre Trombone
Tom Harrell Trumpet
Vincent Herring Flute, Sax (Alto), Saxophone, Producer
Will Vinson Sax (Alto), Flute
Pamela Luss, like Jane Monheit, Diana Krall and Michael Buble, is part of a new generation of vocalists with a passion for beautiful songs and the ability to bring them to life. So spoke saxophonist Vincent Herring of the hot young vocalist, Pamela Luss making her recording debut on Savant Records. When Pamela worked with Vincent at New York's prestigious Weill Recital Hall as the hand-picked vocalist for a series of benefit concerts, Vincent was so taken with her talent that he agreed to produce and play on her debut recording. The band assembled reads like a Who's Who of contemporary jazz, featuring Mulgrew Miller, Tom Harrell, Jeremy Pelt, Steve Turre, Russell Malone and others. Pamela has a great talent for getting to the heart of a lyric, of shaping a phrase with insinuation and subtlety and certainly is not intimated at all by her illustrious collaborators. Savant Records is proud to bring Pamela to the wide audience she deserves.
Pamela Luss, who makes her recording debut on this CD, has a nice clear voice that is attractive, appealing, and on key. Her repertoire is mostly filled with standards, with Tex Allen's title cut and a pair of Tom Harrell songs being the only exceptions. Unfortunately, Luss' interpretations of such familiar songs as "Fools Rush In," "Georgia on My Mind," "Fever," and "My Funny Valentine," although pleasant, are not very creative and lack surprises. She sings well but fails to make those songs her own despite the assistance of a particularly strong supporting cast that includes altoist Vincent Herring and guitarist Romero Lubambo. One wishes that she had something new to add to the legacies of those warhorses rather than being so predictable. But overall, her Savant release is a decent beginning to her career. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
