NOA LEVY & PAUL EDIS TRIO

PORTRAIT IN EVANS

Dot Time Records

Noa Levy, vocals; Paul Edis, piano; Adam King, double bass; Joel Barford, drums; Alan Barnes, alto saxophone/clarinet/bass clarinet.

One of the key things about jazz vocalizing is learning to ‘swing.’  The other important attribute of a jazz singer is the ability to sell the song. That’s what made singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McCrae, Anita O’Day and Billie Holiday all so unforgettable.  They mastered both swinging and they emotionally connecting to the lyrics. They could also sing the blues, a root of jazz.

Bill Evans was a genius composer and pianist.  His music is challenging, even for the best vocalists. I can tell, Noa Levy was serious about learning all this unique music and practiced the challenging intervals and melodic changes.  I can appreciate that.  But Ms. Levy must also master the art of delivering lyrics with emotion and sincerity.  Plus, she needs a little more practice in ‘swinging’ a song.

Levy and the Paul Edis Trio open with the very difficult melody and timing on a tune called “Peri’s Scope.”  Paul Edis and his trio put the “S” in swing, but the singer struggles.  She sounds very rehearsed, but not authentic.  This is a fun song.  It’s light. A song bursting with happiness and humor.  The trio trades fours with Joel Barford on drums. Adam King takes a bass solo full of improvised joy. However, the vocalist sounds practiced, not joyful.

Track #2 is a lovely ballad titled “Only Child. Noa Levy is much more comfortable on this tune.  During their arrangement, the trio invites woodwind master, Alan Barnes to join them.

Bill Evans challenges the vocalist again with “Very Early,” a song full of starling intervals that demand pitch perfect leaps.  Even on a ballad, the Evans’ music swings.  It moves rhythmically. Levy has a tendency to slide to her notes instead of hitting them dead on, like a horn player.

Technically, this album is a wonderful tribute to Bill Evans. The vocalist tackles tunes like “Nardis,” where singing unison with the piano solo, reinforces her scatting. It’s a roadmap to help the vocalist ‘swing.’    Barford is dynamic during his drum solo.

Levy does a beautiful job of interpreting Blue in Green and Barnes is awesome on baritone clarinet.  This one should get lots of airplay.

They have chosen two hands full of compositions by Bill Evans with favorites like “Waltz for Debby” and “Turn Out the Stars” shining brightly in this package.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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