DANNY SINOFF

MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY

Cellar Music Group

Danny Sinoff, vocals/piano; Ulysses Owens Jr., drums/producer; Ben Wolfe, bass; Dan Wilson, guitar; Tyler Henderson, piano; Benny Benack III, trumpet/vocals; Joe Magnarelli, trumpet; Jerry Welson, tenor saxophone.

Danny Sinoff is a Southwest Florida-based jazz singer, a competent pianist and bandleader.  This is his debut album on the Cellar Music Group label. It sparkles with energy, charisma, and his satin smooth vocals!

“This is the culmination of what’s been happening the last twenty-five years,” Sinoff states.

He has a natural sense of swing that is clarified on his opening tune, “Taking A Chance on Love.”  Since he’s a pianist, inspired by such giants as Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, Bill Charlap, Red Garland and Wynton Kelly, I am not surprised by his sense of timing and harmonics. His shuffle and swing is on-point! Plus, he has the support of producer and drummer, Ulyssess Owens Jr.  Sinoff has the kind of tone and vocal personality that draws this listener into his music. Also, his tight arrangements and dynamite musical ensemble are supportive and masterful.

The first tune introduces us to some of the stellar players on this recording session including an impressive piano solo by Sinoff.  Ben Wolfe walks his bass beneath the energy, locking hands with Ulysses Owens Jr. on drums. Owens connected with the vocalist through his friend and trumpeter Benny Benack III who he heard singing Danny Sinoff’s praises. Benack recommended Sinoff for a Florida concert where Owens first heard him.

“When he opens his mouth and he sings, … I was like, whoa, this guy is really special,” Owens exclaims.  “That voice is golden. He’s got a beautiful instrument. And he loves music. That’s what’s key, and it comes out in everything that he does.”

At the end of that concert, Ulysses Owens Jr. wanted to produce an album on Danny Sinoff.

Sinoff began studying classical piano at age four. As early as thirteen, he was already performing professionally.  For years, Danny Sinoff played piano and sang, mostly working trio gigs locally.

On this wonderful project, Owens encouraged Sinoff to step out front, away from the piano and let the musicians create a lush, wonderful background where his vocals could shine. He presents the familiar Bennett hit record, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” as a Latin arrangement featuring the tasty guitar accompaniment of Dan Wilson.

He and trumpeter Benack make a playful exchange of talents on the shuffle arrangement of “All I Need is the Girl” where Benack also sings a duet with Sinoff.

You will hear both swinging tunes and beautiful ballads, each emotionally rendered by Danny Sinoff and his all-star band.  This is a new voice on the recorded jazz scene. Keep an ear out!

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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