CAROLYN LEE JONES

EKLEKTIKA

Catn’ round Sound

Carolyn Lee Jones, vocals; Brad Williams, piano/keyboards; Peter Rioux, piano; Willie Wrinkle, Young Heo, James Driscoll & Jonathan Fisher, bass; Roger Boykin & Todd Parsnow, guitar; Andrew Griffith, drums; Jorge Ginorio, percussion; Shelley Carrol & Mario Cruz, saxophones.

Carolyn Lee Jones was raised in Nebraska, but spent many years in Dallas, Texas in the world of luxury retail.  Although her career developed and blossomed, deep in her heart Carolyn Lee Jones loved music and wanted to sing.

In 2008, she decided to pursue her ‘second act’ as a jazz chanteuse. She pursued classical study privately and music theory. Carolyn Lee began singing in various jazz venues and participating in jam sessions. Slowly, her tone and style began to develop.  She attended jazz workshops and jazz conferences, encouraged by the late great jazz singer and open mic host, Trudi Mann. In fact, it was Mann who introduced the vocalist to the Cabaret jazz scene.

Ms. Jones’ style is taking vintage standard jazz tunes and cabaret material, incorporating Latin grooves and reimagining arrangements, then tossing in a few original songs for good measure. She refreshed them all with her singular, easy-listening style and warm charisma.

Opening with “Skylark” the band sets up the groove and Jones let’s her voice float atop their contemporary arrangement.  She follows this with “Detour Ahead,” another mid-tempo gem. This artist sparkles with a pleasing tone that reminds me of a comfy piano bar in some cozy jazz lounge.

An original song by Roger Boykin is perfectly fitted to Carolyn’s style and presentation.

“In My own town of Dallas, Texas, a prolific multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter, Roger Boykin, graced me with his song ‘That’s What Being in Love is All About.’  The song was written years ago, and I featured him on guitar,” Carolyn Lee Jones explained in her liner notes.  She sounded a lot like Karen Carpenter on this well-written tune.

On “Out of Nowhere” Carolyn Lee Jones shows that she can swing. Next, she covers a Michael Franks tune arranged as a Latin number and beautifully interpreted. Shelley Carrol offers a sweet saxophone solo. Jones follows this with a composition where she contributed lyrics. Titled “Morning in Crown Heights” she collaborated on this song with George Gagliardi. She closes with “Hearts Desire” an Alan Broadbent and Dave Frishberg tune.  This time, just Carolyn’s voice performs as a duet with long-time accompanist, Brad Williams on piano.

Carolyn Lee Jones offers the listener her 6^th album. It’s a laid-back recording that explores a repertoire of old familiar standards, and some new songs, interpreted and sweetly sung for your listening pleasure.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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