Ira Hill – vocals;
John Proulx – piano; Kevin Axt – bass; Dave Tull – drums; Craig Fundyga –
vibes; Doug Webb – saxophones; Alex Acuna – percussion; Ramon Stagnaro –
guitar; Cheryl Bentyne – vocals.
(Review
by Debra M.)
Although
just 19 years old, the young American Ira Hill has immersed himself in the
vocal jazz tradition of the latter half of the 20th century. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, and mentored by
Count Basie vocalist Dennis Rowland and Grammy-nominated pianist and vocalist
Judy Roberts, Cheryl Bentyne,
of Manhatten Transfer, was so impressed by him at a jazz singing
workshop in LA, she went on to produce Tomorrow, his debut album.
Stylistically
broad, the CD includes some relatively obscure material, encompassing swing,
Latin, ballad & bebop, and it is disappointing that the composers are not
listed (although, the reviewer had fun looking them up). My Funny Valentine is
the best known, and possibly an overused, standard. However, the spacious
arrangement, with the excellent John Proulx on piano, showcases Ira’s
mellifluous voice, as he gives a heartfelt, but not overdone rendition. The album features a number of bebop numbers,
with Eddie Jefferson’s vocalese revisited in Billie’s Bounce; Moody’s Mood for Love and ‘Cloudburst’
– a recreation of the Hendricks, Lambert & Ross arrangement. The vocal acrobatics are handled assuredly,
along with some pretty fine scatting.
The most contemporary track is the atmospheric Minuano, a nod to Kurt Elling’s version of the Pat Metheny
composition. And to finish off, Mark
Murphy’s You’ve Proven Your Point - Yes he has! Watch out for Ira
Hill.
Debra.
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