JULIE BENKO

EUPHONIC GUMBO

Clubb44 Records

Vocalist, Julie Benko is often referred to by friends and family as a nice Jewish girl from Connecticut.  So how did she wind up in love with the music, the spirit, the ghosts, the happiness and joy radiating from New Orleans culture?

“’Euphonic Gumbo’ is my love letter to the Crescent City.  We stirred in a little of everything; the syncopated strut of early jazz, the spice of a Cajun fiddle, the echo of folk ballads, Jelly Roll Morton’s ‘Spanish tinge’ and of course, nods to the great piano ‘professors’ famous for making the ivories dance. It’s music that honors both life and death, mischief and memory, Disney dreams and Longfellow laments,” states Julie Benko poetically in her liner notes.

You will hear all of that and more on this vibrant album that celebrates New Orleans tradition. Benko, along with her pianist, arranger and spouse, Jason Yeager, have been presenting an annual Mardi Gras concert at Birdland for the past three years. This was an offshoot of her love for New Orleans, Louisiana’s infectious music

As a Broadway star vocalist, Julie Benko had her big breakout during a role as ‘Funny Girl.’  This January, she returned to Broadway as part of the cast of ‘Ragtime.’

Opening this album with a “Down in New Orleans Medley,” she sets the stage for what is to come. The wonderful, rich arrangements place us right in the heart of Bourbon Street, with great horn lines and the infectious rhythms provided by drummer Jay Sawyer. I love the addition of a whistler to the production.

Track #2 is titled “Ticklin’ Time” and incorporates the familiar “Let the Good Times Roll” into their arrangement. Benko vocally reaches for trumpet tones and high notes during this presentation.

On Track #3, she reaches into her vocal bag of tricks to pull out a tune that sounds quite Irish, although it’s rooted in the Southern United States, called a folk ballad. Somehow, the composer names have been misappropriated with time, and this tune is public domain.

John Manzari enters with his busy tap shoes making their own exciting rhythms on “Funky Fete.”  Background voices chant and add to the band’s energy. This production may entice you to sing along.

Perhaps the vocalist herself summed this album up the best, writing on her album jacket, “This album is a celebration, a second line, a reverent revelry.  A party, plain and simple.”

JULIE BENKO BAND:  Julie Benko, vocals; Jason Yeager, piano/Hammond Organ/celeste/ arrangements; John Manzari, tap dance/vocals; Justin Poindexter, guitar/banjo; Sasha Papernik, accordion; Jay Sawyer, drums; Michael O’Brien, acoustic & electric bass; Jim Caruso, announcer; Andy Warren, trumpet/flugelhorn; Linus Wyrsch, clarinet/tenor saxophone; Evan Arntzen, tenor saxophone; Ron Wilkins, trombone. Gabe Terraciano, violin.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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