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I loved that album on which Allegra did an amazing job of phrasing inspiration on a group of songs out of the "Great American Songbook". As an extremely talented Singer Songwriter and Arranger, Allegra Levy has selected 9 songs that were written by famed Jazz Trumpeter, John McNeil and wrote her own lyrics for all of them. This collaboration was a long time in coming because McNeil is a longtime friend and mentor and he produced her first two Albums. McNeil who has performed with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Horace Silver Quintet and Gerry Mulligan was very open to have a new take on some of his songs especially from Allegra whom he has much respect for as a lyricist and vocalist. McNeil says "Allegra's lyrics have a somewhat cynical, noir-ish take on the world--right up my alley. Collaborating with her was an absolute joy". The feeling was mutual. "John is my most important collaborator", Levy says . "He's always been in my corner and always been such an empathetic and important person in my life. I always felt that his melodies were really memorable , and that they told these stories." Creating lyrics for Jazz tunes written by an instrumentalist for other instrumentalists is always a difficult task. Levy says, "Lyrics only add to the experience by letting people find their own stories in the music." |
Levy brings her strong, clear voice to this project as well as her carefully chosen lyrics. Today I often find singers who label themselves as Jazz Vocalists but really never hit the target. Allegra Levy not only hits the target but knocks it out of the park! She is in every sense a supurb Jazz singer and a brilliant composer and lyricist. I often thought about what separates a world-class Jazz Vocalist from a Singer of Jazz music. I think Allegra's composing chops and certainly her respect for the composing history of the "Great American Songbook"contain at least part of the answer. Rather than reject music just because it has age on it, she embraces the lessons contained in historically popular music and tries to break new ground by keeping a piece of this past in her writing. She offers "The music is timeless, so I didn't want to change it. I just wanted to bring my own voice into the picture."
This wonderful CD not only spotlights Levy's distinctive singing style and writing skills but also brings forth three remarkably talented women musicians, Carmen Staaf on Piano, Carmen Rothwell on Bass and Colleen Clark on Drums. Levy is an active supporter of the "Women in Jazz Organization" and tries to perform with women on the Jazz scene whenever possible. Selecting these three fine musicians was a no-brainer because their performing skills are as good as it gets!
I have selected two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure. The first one became a favorite the first time I heard it, "Livin' Small". The second selection, the title tune for the CD has tons of attitude, "Lose My Number". According to Levy she wrote "Lose My Number" with McNeil in mind. Levy says "McNeil is one of the gentlest, kindest, and most compassionate people she has ever met. Yet as anyone who knows him can attest, he is also infamous for his wicked wit and an acerbic side he makes no attempt to hide".
"Livin Small"
"Lose My Number"
Players:
Allegra Levy- Vocals, Lyrics and Arranging
Carmen Staaf- Piano
Carmen Rothwell- Base
Colleen Clark- Drums
John McNeil, Compositions, Trumpet, Arranging
Pierre Dorge- "Ukulele"
Playlist:
1. Samba De Beach
2. Livin' Small
3. Tiffany
4. Strictly Ballroom
5. C.J.
6. Dover Beach
7. Ukulele Tune
8. Zephyr
9. Lose My Number
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