Jazz / Vocal, Vocal Jazz, Standards
Al McKibbon Bass
Big Orchestra Plus
Bill Marx Arranger
Bob Thiele Liner Notes, Producer
Bryan Koniarz Producer
Bud Shank Flute, Soloist
Hideaki Nishimura Mastering
Hollis King Art Direction
Jimmy Cobb Drums
Joe Lebow Liner Design
Ken Druker Executive Producer
Lorez Alexandria Vocals, Finger Snaps, Liner Notes
Mark Cooper Smith Production Assistant
Paul Chambers Bass
Paul Horn Flute, Soloist, Sax (Alto)
Ray Crawford Soloist, Guitar
Robert Flynn Cover Design
Roger Marshutz Photography, Cover Photo
Sherniece Smith Art Producer
Tutti Camarata Original Recording Producer, Producer
Victor Feldman Vibraphone, Piano
Wynton Kelly Piano, Soloist
Lorez Alexandria has not received her due as a jazz singer, probably due in part to her long layoff from recording (11 years) for nationally distributed labels following these 1964 studio sessions for Impulse! But the vocalist is in top form throughout each of these three sessions, each with a different group of musicians. Her soulful singing also hints at her gospel background in places, though her clear enunciation, ability to swing, and touch of charm make her a delight to hear. Most of the arrangements are fairly concise, so the longer tracks shine just a bit brighter. Her swinging take of "Get Me to the Church On Time" is playful, while her soulfulness comes across in the snappy take of "I'm Through With Love," the latter featuring guitarist Ray Crawford. This is an excellent introduction to a fine vocalist worthy of much wider recognition. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Lorez Alexandria
Active Decades: '60s and '70s
Born: Aug 14, 1929 in Chicago, IL
Died: May 22, 2001 in Gardena, CA
Genre: Vocal
Styles: Standards, Vocal Jazz, Vocalese
A solid singer who is superior at interpreting lyrics, gives a soulful feeling to each song, and improvises with subtlety, Lorez Alexandria was a popular attraction for several decades. She sang gospel music with her family at churches starting in the mid-'40s and worked in Chicago nightclubs in the 1950s. With the release of several albums for King during 1957-1959, Alexandria became popular beyond her hometown, and by the early '60s she was living and working in Los Angeles. In addition to the King label, her earlier recording sessions were for Argo and Impulse, while her later albums were for Discovery and Muse. Despite a long period off records (only a few private recordings during the 1965-1976 period), Alexandria survived through the many changes in musical styles and could be heard in excellent form up until she retired in the mid-'90s. Not long after retiring, Alexandria suffered a stroke, and her health declined until her death in May 2001.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
