Album review: Kenny Washington - What's the Hurry*

An enjoyable set by Kenny Washington (not to be confused with the drummer of the same name), one of that rare breed - a male jazz singer. Perhaps it's not so rare but Elling and Porter seem to have opened up such a gap that it sometimes seems like the others are slugging it out for third place. Maybe - maybe not. Washington is up there with the best and, on the strength of this album, one wonders why this is his first studio album - any ideas?

Maybe he fell foul of the suits, maybe he didn't wear a silly hat or maybe his voice just exuded too much class for an audience that had forgotten about class. More likely, apart from a 9 year stint in the US Navy, his time was fully occupied touring the world with various bands so that, although he often recorded live with them, there wasn't much time to set up a studio date - until now.

Now, class is back - big time! Listen to this choice selection of standards and I rest my case.

Of course, behind every great singer there's a band and the supporting cast provide even more class. Goines blows tenor and clarinet on a couple, Olmos wails on I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues whilst Nelson's presence is felt on every track. However, it's unfair to single out any one person other than Washington himself - it's true, I cannot tell a lie.
Lance

The Best is Yet to Come; S'Wonderful**; Stars Fell on Alabama; I've Got the World on a String; I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues; Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered; Invitation; Here's to Life; Sweet Georgia Brown; No More Blues; Smile.

Kenny Washington (vocals); Josh Nelson (piano); Gary Brown (bass); Lorca Hart (drums) + (on various tracks) Victor Goines (tenor sax/clarinet); Jeff Massaneri (guitar); Mike Olmos (trumpet); Peter Michael Escovedo (bongos); Dan Feiszli (bass); Jeff Cressman (trombone); Ami Milinelli-Hart (perc.).

Available August 17 on A-Train Entertainment.

* Don't ask me why there's no question mark after the title!

** Usually written as 'S Wonderful.