One of the top jazz singers of the 1990s, Roseanna Vitro is a versatile vocalist who is not afraid to take chances. On her Telarc debut, the personnel changes on many of the ten selections with the stars among the sidemen including pianist Ken Werner (Vitro's musical director), altoist Gary Bartz, trumpeter Tim Hagans, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Elvin Jones. Among the highpoints of the diverse repertoire are an adventurous "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Out of This World," "Long as You're Livin '," McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance" and "Strollin"' (an adaptation of Charles Mingus' "Nostalgia in Times Square"). The only number that does not work is an over-the-top rendition of "More than You Know" that is overly complex; simplicity would have been much more effective. Otherwise, this is a superior set by a very appealing singer. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.
Telarc Jazz, CD-83385, 1996
Recorded 19th July, 1994 at
Skyline Studios, New York
& January, 1995 at Sound
On Sound Studios, New York
Musicians:
Roseanna Vitro - Vocals,
Arranger
Tim Hagans - Trumpet
John Fedchock - Trombone
Gary Bartz - Alto Saxophone
Tim Ries - Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Werner - Piano,
Arranger
Larry Willis - Piano
Kevin Mahogany - Piano,
Vocals (#8)
Steve Nelson - Vibraphone
Romero Lubambo, Vic Juris -
Guitar
Christian McBride, Ratzo B.
Harris, Richie Goods - Bass
Clarence Penn, Elvin Jones -
Drums
Jamey Haddad - Drums,
Percussion
Tracks:
01. Out Of This World {Harold
Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (5:29)
02. Long As You're Livin'
{Oscar Brown Jr., Julian Priester, Tommy Turrentine} (6:16)
03. Returned To Me ["The
Bird"] {Tex Allen} (5:32)
04. Freedom Jazz Dance {Eddie
Harris} (5:18)
05. For Heaven's Sake {Elise
Bretton, Sherman Edwards, Don Meyer} (5:04)
06. Whisper Not {Benny
Golson} (4:50)
07. Simone {Frank Foster,
Cheryl Pyle} (7:24)
08. Blue Monk {Thelonious
Monk} (5:14)
09. Passion Dance {McCoy
Tyner, Roseanna Vitro} (6:41)
10. More Than You Know
{Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans} (7:20)
11. Strollin' [Nostalgia In
Times Square] {Charles Mingus} (5:20)
Total Time: 64:32
Credits:
Producer, Engineer, Mixing -
Paul Wickliffe
Executive Producer - Robert
Woods
Assistant Engineer - Devin
Emke, Rich Lamb, Ed Raso
Production Supervisor -
Elaine Martone
Art Direction, Cover Design -
Anilda Carrasquillo
Photography - Carol Friedman
Liner Notes -
Roseanna Vitro, Michael G. Nastos
