Arianna Neikrug Changes

Arianna Neikrug
Changes
Concord Jazz

Winner of the 2015 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition Arianna Neikrug has her Concord Jazz debut backed by a trio produced by Grammy-winning pianist and arranger Laurence Hobgood along with his regular trio mates – drummer Jared Schonig and bassist Matt Clohesy. Musically, this release displays Neikrug’s gift for interpreting tunes from the Great American Songbook, more recent pop and R&B classics from the ’70s as well as two originals she wrote.

On first hearing, Neikrug's soprano suggested to me the young Canadian singer, Nikki Yanofsky. That is simply a reference point as Neikrug quick displays on the opening "No Moon At All," her command of her voice,  clear phrasing, sense of dynamics and her wonderful scatting.  Hobgood initially provides spare accompaniment before the full trio enters for the swinging performance. Hobgood's arrangement for “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most,“ is among her favorites. Her vocal  captures the lyrics' meaning and there is a wonderful piano . Another highlight is the wonderful reworking of the Al Green classic "Let's Stay Together," which is slowed down adding to the poignancy of the lyrics and the plea to her lover.

Her songwriting is spotlighted on the title track with its lithe samba rhythm and as she sings about she negotiating a tough period in her life. Her vocal including  marvelous wordless passages and delightful backing. A mashup of “Never Let Me Go/I’ll Be There,” opens as a lament of her and Hobgood of the Evans and Livingston standard, followed by the full trio backing her on a  ballad reading of the Jackson Five hit. Neikrug cleanly and precisely sings Hammerstein and Kern's "The Song is You," which is taken at a torrid tempo, and  transforms the century old "After You're Gone" into a R&B tinged lament. The album closes with a most entertaining mash-up of a couple of Joni Mitchell songs "Help Me/ Be Cool."

This is a marvelous debut by an already accomplished vocalist who is sympathetically backed by Hobgood and his trio. One expects to hear more about Arianna Neikrug in the future.

I received my review copy from Concord Jazz. Here is a preview video for this release.