When you’re the daughter of a legend like Tony Bennett, the expectations can feel overwhelming—but Antonia Bennett rises beautifully to the challenge. With Expressions, she steps out confidently from her father’s shadow and into her own well-deserved spotlight.
For 15 years, Antonia shared the stage as her father’s opening act, quietly building her craft and learning lessons about artistry, song choice, and the value of surrounding yourself with the finest musicians. That education is evident here. Expressionsis a carefully curated album that balances jazz standards, timeless ballads, and fresh interpretations—all delivered with clarity, warmth, and style.
Her voice is pure, elegant, and emotionally resonant. Each lyric is shaped with perfect phrasing, and every note feels both effortless and heartfelt. This isn’t imitation—it’s Antonia’s own artistic voice, honoring tradition while carving out new ground. She is joined by a stellar ensemble: Christian Jacob (piano, arrangements), Larry Koonse (guitar), Kevin Axt (bass), and Kendall Kay (drums). Special guests include Randy Brecker on trumpet and flugelhorn, and David Thomas of Take 6 adding rich background vocals on Wherever You Go. Their sensitive, world-class musicianship provides the perfect canvas for Antonia’s voice.
Expressionsis elegant, timeless, and deeply personal. With this release, Antonia Bennett affirms that she is not just carrying forward a family legacy—she is adding her own luminous chapter to the GreatAmerican Songbook.
PLAYLIST:
Do You Still Think of Me
Exactly Like You
Once I Loved
Baby
Comes Love
Vous Qui Passez Sans Me Voir
Right On Time
True Love
Wherever You Go
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Hushabye Mountain
After You
See You On The Other Side
PLAYERS:
Antonia Bennett – Vocals
Christian Jacob – Piano / Keyboards, Arranger
Larry Koonse – Guitar
Kevin Axt – Bass
Kendall Kay – Drums
Randy Brecker – Trumpet / Flugelhorn (guest)
David Thomas (Take 6) – Background Vocals on “Wherever You Go”
I have attached two songs from Antonia's CD, the first is "Do You Still Think Of Me" and the second "Once I Loved".
On May 17, 2019, Tierney Sutton and her wonderful band released a simply beautiful new CD called "Screenplay" that covers outstanding songs from American films. Tierney Sutton has been performing for over 25 years and has gathered 8 Grammy nominations for her stellar Jazz vocal work. You might think that receiving 8 Grammy Nominations would make Tierney one of the biggest popular vocalist performing today but wait, Tierney Sutton is a Jazz singer. Jazz singers just don't get the respect they deserve. Not only is Tierney a Jazz singer but one of the very best in her trade. Tierney doesn't show up and just sing Jazz standards like most Jazz singers. No, Tierney's arrangements are spectacular, fresh and unique. So different that lots of up and coming Jazz singers borrow them and mostly without permission, I have to add. The wonderful arrangements were created with help from The Tierney Sutton Band's talented band members including of course, Tierney herself. Tierney Sutton deserves tons more accolades and more attention from the listening public and the music industry. She is in a class of her own, never playing it safe and always taking chances and her final music product is always superb!
A few months ago I had the pleasure of hearing Tierney sing at Pete Carlson's Golf Shop in Palm Desert, CA and her performance reminded me again of how special her singing is. Tierney is a gift for any music lover of Jazz singing. I have no doubt that she is one of the top 5 Jazz vocalists performing today. The Tierney Sutton Band tours the country so be alert to when she is performing in your area and don't let anything stop you from hearing Tierney Sutton and this band.
This review would not be complete without showering praise on the members of this talented and creative band. Every member of this band is a high-level musician not only for their playing capabilities but also their understanding of Tierney Sutton's phrasing and touch for lyrics. Of course, their contributions to the arrangements are stunning! The band is one of the most creative and artistically satisfying groups performing currently.
The CD has 15 cuts, each one a gem, and the Band approaches every one of these great songs from American movies in a different path than the original arrangements.
PLAYERS:
Tierney Sutton- Vocals Christian Jacob- Piano Kevin Axt- Bass Trey Henry- Bass Ray Brinker- Drums Serge Merlaud- Guitar (5, 12,13) Alan Bergman- Vocals (12) PLAYLIST: 1. "The Windmills of Your Mind" 2. "Moon River/Calling You" 3. "On a Clear Day" 4. "What Are You doing the Rest of Your Life" 5. "I've Got No Strings" 6. "If I Only Had a Brain?" 7. "The Sound of Silence" 8. "Goodbye for Now" 9. "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" 10. "Hopelessly Devoted to You" 11. "You're the One That I Want" 12. "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" 13. "It might Be Now" 14. "Every Now and Then" 15. "Arrow"
I have selected 2 "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure. The first one is one of my personal favorites, "The Windmills of Your Mind" with music by the late Michel Legrand and lyric by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The arrangement is by Tierney Sutton. The second is "The Sound of Silence" from the move "The Graduate". The arrangement is by Trey Henry and Ray Brinker.
I would venture that any real Jazz fan living in Southern California knows that on Saturday nights the only place to be is at Peter Carlson's Golf and Tennis Store in Palm Desert, CA. During the day, Pete's place is one of the biggest and best golf and tennis stores in the country but on most Saturday nights, Pete's team cleans out the golf bags and golf clubs in one room and as if by magic, it turns into a Jazz Club! Pete rolls out a baby Grand and then it's straight-ahead Jazz for the night. Pete has been hosting these world-class Jazz sessions since 2010. The proceeds from these 30 or so concerts each season go to support music education and scholarships for young musicians in the Coachella Valley and the American Jazz Institute. It's a great win for everyone. Jazz lovers get to hear the best current live Jazz in the Country, and the kids get financial support to keep music playing in their schools! It's a lot of work for Pete and his wife Edna, but it is a labor of love!
Pete is also a founder, director and broadcaster at a new local 24-hour Jazz radio station right here in Palm Desert, KAJI 95.3 FM. For anyone not living in this area, you can tune in to the station by logging onto your computer at www.amjazzin.org. The radio broadcasting legend, Alan Schulz is the program director for KAJI and also hosts his own show. Alan has spent the major part of his life involved in the Jazz world and has wonderful stories he shares about every Jazz great, past or current.
Tonight Pete hosted "The Phil Norman Tentet" one of the most talented and respected Jazz bands playing today. The musicians in this band are stellar, every single one is multi-talented and a Jazz star in his own right. Take a look at the advertisement posted above and you are sure to know most of the veterans who play in this band. This wonderful band filled the house wall to wall with Jazz fans from all over the Valley and they were not disappointed. From the first downbeat, these masters of Jazz performed one great Jazz tune after another. The arrangement charts were also as good as it gets bringing memories of the great bands from years ago. Mark your schedule for next week, Saturday, January 26 when the outstanding flutist, Holly Hofmann, will be joined by the Mike WoffordQuartet.
The band played many great songs last night, but I particularly enjoyed their arrangement of "Surrey With The Fringe On Top" and I have attached a "YouTube" of the band performing it.
Alison Lewis released her first solo CD, "Seven" on June 16, 2016. In my role as a music reviewer, I usually receive about 25 to 30 new CDs each month. Sometimes it is hard to get to each one, but I make the effort knowing that all these musicians have put their life and soul on the line composing and recording their songs. The majority of these CDs are good, a few are excellent and every once in a while I find a gem that blows me away. Alison Lewis' CD "Seven" is one of those gems, a new CD in a world of its own!
Alison Lewis is one of the best singers I have heard in quite a while. Why you ask? First, her voice is pure and strong, she has perfect pitch and a unique understanding of lyrics. But what puts her over the top is her vocal and musical arrangements that are new, fresh and a treat for the ears! Alison describes her arrangement method as a "re-imagining process" where she may alter a song's rhythm, melody and/or the underlying chords in order to uncover a new and deeper appreciation for its meaning. She attributes the success of each composition to equal doses of intuition, thoughtful listening, and inspiration. I could listen to Alison sing all day and so will you. Get this CD; it's like listening to a master class in the art of vocal performance. There are 7 songs on the playlist, 5 great standards and 2 songs composed by Alison.
I had a difficult time picking just one cut from her CD for you to preview so I have attached two cuts. First is a "YouTube" of Alison singing her fabulous take of "My Funny Valentine" and the second "YouTube" is Alison singing the Lennon and McCartney song "Blackbird". Enjoy!
PLAYLIST: 1. Blackbird 2. Cheek to Cheek 3. Like a Rolling Stone 4. Mr Right for Right Now 5. Seesaw 6. Midnight Sun 7. My Funny Valentine The Players: Alison Lewis: Vocals and arrangements Mitchel Forman: Piano (Tracks 1,2,7) Fender Rhodes (Track 3) Hammond B3 Organ (Track 4) Kevin Axt: Bass (Tracks 1,3,4,6) Ray Brinker: Drums (Tracks 1,3,4) and Hand Percussion (Track 3) Andrew Synowiec: Lap Steel and Acoustic Guitars (Tracks 1,3,4) Eddie Reyes: Cajon and Udu (Track 1) Adam Shulman: Piano (Track 5) Paul Eastburn: Bass (Track 5) Ricky Carter: Drums (Track 5) Jude Gold: Acoustic Guitar (Track 5) Anne King: Muted Trumpet (Track 7)
