Anthony Jefferson All I Am

Anthony Jefferson
All I Am
Self-Produced

A New Orleans native who has lived in the Dominican Republic for the past ten years, Anthony Jefferson brings his baritone to an eclectic project of songs from the Great American Songbook, pop music, R&B, and the movies. He is backed by some of the Dominican Republic's finest players, including the multi-instrumentalist Corey Allen who also did the arrangements and orchestrations. New Orleans trumpeter Mark Rapp is among those heard backing Jefferson.

Jefferson sings tunes from a diverse group of composers and styles, from George Benson and Carole King to Cole Porter and George Gershwin. Songs include standards like "Willow Weep for Me" and "Night and Day" to pop tunes like "You've Got a Friend" and soul numbers like "Me and Mrs. Jones," and "Rainy Night in Georgia," to original songs like "In The Presence Of" composed by Mark Rapp with lyrics by Jefferson.

There is plenty to be heard listening to Jefferson as he sings tunefully with warmth and fervor while displaying the influence of George Benson, Donny Hathaway, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, and Brook Benton as he interprets various songs. Jefferson sounds at times like a musical chameleon, channeling the sound of those who made prior recordings of some of these songs. Jefferson's rendition of the title track evokes George Benson (who co-authored it with Al Jarreau) along with Hathaway with his soulful delivery of the lyrics. Similarly, there is echoes of Nat King Cole on the lovely ballad "Marnie," with Allen's arrangement of the strings enhancing his vocal. Echoes of Brook Benton are present on "A Rainy Night in Georgia," although he sings with a bit more heat and personality as the song develops. More of his personality is displayed on his vibrant rendition of "Summertime." A highlight of this recording is a duet with a wonderful Dominican singer, Patricia Pereyra, on a sensual "Besame Mucho.

Throughout this recording, Jefferson is handsomely backed, and there are several marvelous solos by the accompanists. He is a crooner in the manner of a George Benson, Johnny Mathis, or Brook Benton. "All I Am" is an easy to listen to recording for fans of soul balladry.

I received a review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the March-April 2020 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 389). Here he is in 2015 performing with the Caribe Quartet.