Aimee Nolte
(vocals, piano, organ, synth bass); John Clayton (bass track 7); Bruce Lett
(bass 1, 2 3, 5, 10); James Yoshizawa (drums); Mike Scott (guitar 2,3,5,10);
Jason Neubauer (guitar1); Doug Webb (woodwinds 1); John Reilly (woodwinds 6)
(Review by Ann Alex).
Ms Nolte, based in
Los Angeles, has been successful on YouTube with over 140,000 subscribers, where
she does both music and educational videos. This has led to her appearing as a
guest at jazz festivals around the USA. A very modern way to become known,
which I guess will become ever more usual. This, her third album, consists of 8
originals and 3 re-imagined standards. She also arranged and produced the
album.
At the age of 3, we’re
told, she surprised her parents by spontaneously playing Silent Night. She went on to study classical piano and gained a
degree in jazz piano in 1998. Despite being the mother of four, Nolte’s voice
has retained her fresh sounding youthful voice. On this CD she is
joined by stellar musicians from Southern California.
The sad love song,
This One Hurts, is enhanced by
changing the piano tone - putting felt between the strings and hammers, giving
a warmer sound, as I imagine a piano might sound at a Victorian musical
evening. Bye, Bye Blackbird is voice
and bass only with well-controlled relevant scat. The other jazz standards are All Too Soon and So in Love. The second track is the title track, and the tune
cleverly reflects the theme as it curves round musically as if searching. You Should’ve is a strong protest aimed
at a teacher who mistreated Ms Nolte in her youth. Other tracks are: The Loveliest Girl, Save Me One Last Time; I Gotta Get. The CD ends
satisfyingly with a lovely flowing piano instrumental from Nolte, titled For a While.
The CD is currently available both online and in stores. The
label is Aimee Nolte Music. See www.aimeenolte.com
Ann Alex
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