Album review: Danny Jonokuchi - Voices

One of the first indications of the effect that the pandemic was going to have on jazz and the world in general was back in March 2020 when American vocalist, trumpet player, bandleader, arranger Danny Jonokuchi had to pull out of a transatlantic guest appearance with Strictly Smokin' Big Band at Newcastle's Flat Caps Café.

Although on this album he neither sings nor plays* he knows a whole lot who do and, coupled with his fine arrangements, they all shine as indeed do the reeds, 'bones and rhythm section.

Each track showcases a different vocalist with some  complex, compelling scoring and meaningful solos.

And if that wasn't enough ten of the eleven song are among my all-time favourites.

The One I love (Belongs to Somebody Else): vocal Alexa Barchin. A belting uptempo arrangement. Solos by trumpet and bari. Amazing vocal.

All of me: vocal Tahira Clayton. Nice medium swing. Trombone does some machine gunning. Another great vocal with the band swinging like crazy.

Social Call: vocal Nicole Zuraitis. One of my all-time all-time faves by a fave singer (all eleven of them are!) Alto, trombone solos don't do any harm.

Summertime: vocal Brianna Thomas. Well I suppose someone had to do it and Brianna does it better than most - amazing range. Nice alto solo. Bluesy trumpet.

You Turned the Tables on me: vocal Shenel Johns. Swinging Basie type arrangement. Trumpet solo.

What a Difference a Day Made: vocal Alita Moses. Latin background. Trumpet and bari solo and flutes play as a section. Magic!.

Blame it on my Youth: vocal Charles Turner. The only male vocal on one of the most beautiful ballads ever. Jeb Patton on piano.

Born to be Blue: vocal Lucy Yeghiazaryan. Solos from trombone, tenor, piano

So Many Stars: vocal Sirintip. Trombone featured.

All or Nothing at All: vocal Martina DaSilva. Wailing alto.

I'm Just a Lucky So-and-So: vocal Hannah Gill. Plunger trombone.

If you're a singer hoping to make it in NYC maybe you should listen to the above before packing your suitcase and moving on down the line. If you do give it a go it wouldn't hurt to have Danny Jonokuchi in your corner. Lance

*This may be an erroneous assumption on my part as, although Jonokuchi isn't actually listed as playing trumpet, on the cover shot, as can be seen, he is pictured holding a trumpet and there are plenty of sizzling solos to suggest otherwise. On the subject of trumpets, on the face of it this would suggest eight trumpets! However, as Lake, Wendholt and Harris only appear on four tracks this would bring the number down to a more conventional five. Watch this space.

BANDCAMP

Andrew Gould, Christopher McBride, Chris Oatts, Jon Beshay, Chris Lewis, Andrew Gutauskas (reeds); Nick Marchione, Sam Hoyt, John Lake, James Zollar, Scott Wendholt, Noah Halpern, Bruce Harris (trumpets); Robert Edwards, Sara Jacovino, Jason Jackson, Reginald Chapman (trombones); Jeb Patton (piano); Samuel Harris (bass); Kevin Congleton (drums); Víctor Pablo (perc) + Alexa Barchini, Tahira Clayton, Nicole Zuraitis, Brianna Thomas, Shenel Johns, Alita Moses, Charles Turner, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, Sirintip, Martina DaSilva, Hannah Gill (vocals)