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Multi-talented Jazz Vocalist Judy Wexler has been studying and performing for over 20 years and has become one of the most compelling Jazz Vocalist on the West Coast. She has learned her lessons well over the years and always surrounds herself with the finest West Coast musicians. And when she combines these talented musicians with her ability to selecting songs that are wonderful but not played frequently, Jazz magic occurs. Judy has an intense love for lyrics and takes joy in creating her own interpretations. When she adds her warm voice to a lyric the results create beautiful reborn musical gems. On "No Wonder" Judy unveils a range of emotions and combines her astute blend of storytelling with subtle melodic variations and rhythmic shifts. The arrangements on "No Wonder" were created by Judy's longtime Pianist and Arranger Jeff Colella and they are hip and fresh and fit Judy's vocal style perfectly. This is Judy's first CD of standards and when these songs are combined with Judy's warm voice, her spot- on phrasing and Colella's creative arrangements, the songs seem re-born again. |
Judy preforms in Jazz clubs in the LA area to the delight of her many fans. She has also headlined at performing arts centers and Jazz festivals in Montreal, Dubai, Tel Aviv, San Jose and Temecula where she opened for the legendary Mose Allison, If you know anything about Mose Allison, then it will help you understand Judy's long-time love of "Off the beaten path" songs and lyrics.
The list of supporting musicians is an A-listing of the best LA musicians. So, what do you get when you gather a group of fine Jazz musicians in a recording room with a veteran Jazz Vocalist with a beautiful voice and a love for interpretation and phrasing of lyric? You get a beautiful Jazz CD titled "No Wonder"!
I have attached a "YouTube" video with two songs from "No Wonder". The first song is a long-time favorite of mine composed by Leonard Cohen, "Dance Me To The End of Love". The lyric for this Cohen gem has always fascinated me, and I always thought about it as a lovely love poem. I learned from Judy that the lyric is about the Jewish musicians in the Nazi concentration camps who were forced to perform as their fellow prisoners were marched to their deaths. Now, the lyric of the songs takes on a new, deeper emotional meaning for me. Bob Sheppard adds a beautiful Clarinet solo and Larry Koonse has a captivating Guitar solo also. The second song I attached was Judy's up-tempo version of the the 1940 standard, "You Stepped Out of a Dream".
"Dance Me to the End of Love"PLAYLIST:
1. No Wonder
2. The Summer Knows
4. Never Will I Marry
5. Wish You Were Here
6. Firm Roots
7. Slow Hot Wind
8. I Wish You Love
9. Dance Me To The End of Love
10. That Sunday, That Summer
11. A Weaver of Dreams
12. The Night We Called It A Day
PLAYERS:
Judy Wexler- Vocals
Jeff Colella- Piano, Melodica, All Arrangement except, "No Wonder" Luciana Souza and "I Wish you Love" Brian Swartz
Danny Janklow- Alto/Tenor Sax, Flute/ Alto Flute
Bob Sheppard, Soprano Sax, Clarinet
Jay Jennings- Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Larry Koonse- Electric/Acoustic Guitar
Gabe Davis- Bass
Steve Haas- Drums
