Vocalist Alexis Cole is simply the best Jazz vocalist I have heard in many years. Even though she has released several CDs over the past few years, I never had an opportunity to listen to her work. Her new CD, "Sky Blossom" has made me a big fan of her voice and vocal talents. Alexis Cole has an interesting background giving her valuable years of training and experience by singing for seven years in the Army's West Point's Jazz Knights Big Band. She left the service in 2016, trading her uniforms and fatigues for sleek cocktail dresses and chic hats and fully focused on her Vocal skills. On her new CD, "Sky Blossom" she shares the results of all her intensive Jazz studies with us. To find words that describe Alexis' vocal performance to prove without any doubt she has arrived as one of the very best Jazz Vocalists performing today is not difficult! Here are some of the words that came to my mind when listening to Alexis Cole: high energy, flawless pitch, perfect scat technique, warm, rich vocal tones and strong sense of swing! Alexis Cole leaves no doubt that she is a major Jazz star even though a lot of the Jazz world is still yet to discover her.
Her years of experience singing with West Point's Jazz Knights Big Band all come to the forefront in this wonderful Jazz CD. Her seven years singing with the Army Big Band gave Alexis the opportunity to grow as a Jazz Vocalists sharing the stage with a diverse group of musicians from the New York Philharmonic to Kool and the Gang. Singing with a big band is a very different skill than singing with a small group. There is really no way to learn the needed big band vocal skills other than singing with a big band.
Alexis recently founded the website JazzVoice.com, an online educational community featuring singing classes, Professional development workshops and private lessons with some of the top names in vocal Jazz. If you are a vocalist, make sure you check out this site.
Alexis gives us more proof that she is a master musician by selecting a supporting cast of musicians to join her on "Sky Blossom" that is really impressive! I have listed the players below so you can see for yourself. In addition, her playlist of songs is like a master class exam for Vocalists. Alexis has picked a diverse composer list including Clifford Brown, Anthony Newley, George and Ira Gershwin, Miles Davis and Oscar Brown, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Carlos Jobim, Thelonious Monk and Billy Joel!
As a side note, the title of the CD, "Sky Blossom" is a nod from Alexis to her military service. It is a military term for an opening parachute and her credo of jumping into the unknown with faith.
PLAYLIST:
1. Joy Spring
2. Pure Imagination
3. How Long Has This Been Going On
4. All Blues
5. Estate
6. Across The Universe
7. Triste
8. How I Wish
9. Social Call
10. New York State of Mind
11. Our Love Is Here To Stay
12. American Anthem
Players:
Alexis Cole-Vocals
Tracks 2-7, 11
Jeff Jarvis-Conductor
Scott Arcangel-Arranger
Ryan DeWesse, Cade Gotthardt, Evan Hamada, Andrew Solares-Trumpets
Phineas Crisp, Ken Eernisse, Anna Menotti, Bobby Burton-Trombones-
Stephen Wood, Erik Larsen, Nathan King, Tanner Olivas, Chris Cockrill-Saxophones
Alex Flavell-Piano
Max Myrick-Bass
Tyler Kreutel-Drums
Brandon Johnson-Guitar
Pablo Munoz-Snyder-Vibes
Nick Mancini-Vibs
Jeff Haynes-Percussion
Featuring:
Bob Sheppard-Solos 2-9
Derrick James-Solos 4-10
Jeff Jarvis-Solos 5,7,8
Paul Meyers-Guitar 5,6,9
David Fink-Bass 5,6,7
Sebastien Nougat-Sound Design 1,6,8
Tracks 1, 8
John Castleman-Solos 1
Vito Speranzam, Josh Economy, Rich Johnson-Trumpets
Dan Pierce, Ron Fleischman, Jason Miller, Teddy Arnold-Trombones
Mike Reifenberg, Derrick James, David Loy Song, Jay Malone, Xavier Perez-Saxphones
Scott Arcangel-Piano Solo 8
Mark Tonelli-Guitar
Brandon Nelson-Bass
Scott Drewes-Drums
Track 12
Jaehun Kang-Piano
