Jazz vocalist
Jeff Baker's third CD for OA2 is a perfect example of a confident young singer willing to explore music from many different genres so long as the tunes are promising. Backed by a great band that includes saxophonist
Brent Jensen, pianist
Bill Anschell, and drummer
John Bishop (all of whom were present on his second release for the label), plus bassist
Jeff Johnson,
Baker is never predictable in his approach to any song and generously features his musicians (particularly
Anschell and
Jensen) at length. His dreamy setting of the standard "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" is matched by the well-crafted arrangement of
Carole King's "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" that transforms this 1960s pop song into true jazz material.
Baker is also a master singing vocalese to
Charlie Parker's "Billie's Bounce" or scatting to
Miles Davis' "All Blues" with authority. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden