LaVon Hardison (vocals); David Joyner (piano, organ); Osama Afifi (bass); Jeff Busch (drums, percussion, cover art); Brad Schrandt (flute, sax)
(Review by Ann Alex)
I may as well cut to the quick for the 2nd of my postal CDs – could do better. I’d go as far as to say that you can hear more adventurous and interesting jazz at a Tuesday Jazz Cafe jam session, or a Saturday evening Globe gig. Mind, I have to say that we do breed a high standard of local musicians.
Boston (USA) born LaVon Hardison did training in classical and opera singing and has worked in TV, film and voiceovers. Come Together is her third album, which attempts to erase the boundaries of jazz, funk and soul. The CD covers jazz standards, contemporary songs such as Sunny, and numbers by the likes of Bernstein, Bacharach and Lennon/McCartney. Hardison’s voice is a rich alto, but she performs the songs mostly ‘straight’ rather than with jazz-like improvisation, except for Close To You, which is refreshingly jazzy. The musicians are mostly competent, especially the pianist, but I was a bit irritated by the rather repetitive, samey drumming and percussion. I feel that this band could do better and they’ve missed an opportunity.
The track list is: Tomorrow; Sunny; Maybe (Strayhorn); Come Together: Alfie; Unchain My Heart; Better Than Anything;: Close To You; Some Other Time.
The CD is self released. See www.LaVonHardison.com
Ann Alex
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