By C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
Vanessa Rubin
The Dream is You: Vanessa Rubin sings Tadd Dameron
Finally, a fitting tribute to the music of Tadd Dameron, with Vanessa Rubin‘s vocal adaptation of Dameron’s work as an added plus. The Cleveland native has distinguished herself as an impressive song stylist with a Midas touch for challenging material. Rubin has eight previous recordings. Interestingly, only Girl Talk (Telarc Records, 2001) has been reviewed on All About Jazz. The Dream Is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron offers a grand opportunity to remedy this situation
Catherine Russell
Alone Together
Catherine Russell’s bona fides are many and may best be expressed in her journey to today. Born in Panama to musical parents (her mother being Carline Ray), her family emigrated to New Orleans, then Chicago and then New York City, following the path of jazz music over the last century. Her recordings, in particular her recent and enthusiastically received Bring It Back (Harmonia Mundi Jazz Village Music, 2014), show a broad interest in both the Great American Songbook and early jazz standards.