Canadian
Jane Bunnett has distinguished herself as a soprano saxophonist and composer over a long period. Following her collaborations with the late pianist
Don Pullen she was drawn to Cuban music, so she regularly incorporated it into her compositions and frequently used Cuban instrumentalists and vocalists. This session is a bit different from her earlier dates, as its main focus is on the Afro-Cuban/Haitian ten-voice a cappella choir
Grupo Vocal Desandann, who piqued her interest with their inventive harmonies and ability to handle challenging rhythms. These spring 2008 sessions feature traditional Cuban and Haitian songs and originals by
Bunnett with various lyricists, along with an original plus a surprising arrangement by fellow Canadian
Don Thompson, who alternates between bass, piano, vibes, and marimba.
Bunnett co-wrote the tricky "Kaleidoscope" with lead vocalist
Kellylee Evans, a rhythmically complex piece with many sudden chord changes that
Evans and the musicians master easily.
Bunnett's lighthearted soprano and pianist
David Virelles are briefly featured in the traditional piece "Wongolo," a showcase for
Grupo Vocal Desandann. "If You Go Away" (written by
Jacques Brel and poet
Rod McKuen) is hardly the kind of piece that one would expect to hear on a jazz date, let alone a Cuban-flavored session, but
Thompson's infectious arrangement and
Molly Johnson's
Billie Holiday-flavored vocal carry the day.
Jane Bunnett continues to prove that jazz readily absorbs the best elements of any form of music with this fine effort. ~ Ken Dryden