Fleur Seule Standards and Sweet Things

Fleur Seule
Standards and Sweet Things
Self-Produced

Fleur Seule describes itself on its website as playing "Swing Era hits, Jazz standards, Salsa classics and Ballroom selections that will transport you to the 1940s: The times of big bands and glamorous evenings of live music and dancing in clubs renowned for their entertainment, Hollywood profiles, and musical variety. Led by vocalist Allyson Briggs, this dynamic band of old souls will have you humming along to timeless music." Besides Ms. Briggs, the band includes Andy Warren on trumpet, arranger and musical director; Jason Yeager on piano; Michael O'Brien on bass; Paul Francis on drums; Richard Miller on guitar; and Ivan Llanes on percussion. They have established themselves at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Birdland, The Rainbow Room and Tavern on the Green, and Michael Feinstein is a big fan. The performances on this 16 song CD give a clue why.

Allyson Briggs' singing is the focal point of the group's performances and appeal. She can sing in 7 seven languages and speaks in 4. She covers a variety of genres with at times a perky and flirty and other times intimate, delivery. She has a melodious voice and a nuanced sense of timing and phrasing who on occasion enlivens a vocal with some tuneful scatting. She is afforded delightful, congenial backing with Warren's mellow trumpet and Yeager's acoustic guitar being especially of note.

With such well-known songs as "Tenderly" and "Misty," one is not expecting very much, but Allyson Briggs sings exquisitely, and with considerable charm, throughout this recording. O'Brien takes an excellent Arco bass solo on "Tenderly," while Warren's plays superbly on the laid-back, heartfelt rendition of "Misty." There is a feeling in her numbers similar to Cyrille Aimee's gypsy jazz inspired performances. This might be most evident on her foreign language performances such as "Pielex Canela," "Zou Bisou Bisou" or "La Vie En Rose."

Other sweet treats include the lovely and elegant rendition of "I Only Have Eyes For You," the brisk and perky "Them There Eyes" with another first-rate Warren trumpet solo. Then there is "Shoo-Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy," initially recorded by Dinah Shore and Julie Christy with Stan Kenton. This delightful performance is evocative of some of Nat King Cole's relaxed, swinging jive recordings. After a splendid, breezy bossa nova "Sweet Happy Life," this CD closes with magical renditions of the Gershwins' "Embraceable You" and "S'Wonderful." And that last song describes the superlative singing by Allyson Briggs and the excellent backing by the band. "Standards and Sweet Things" is simply wonderful.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the November-December 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 387). Here they perform "La Vie En Rose."

Brian Newman Showboat

Brian Newman
Showboat
Verve

A Cleveland native, singer and trumpeter Brian Newman debut recording is this Verve release. Before coming to New York, he studied trumpet at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. In New York he started playing around while bartending, eventually leading his quintet playing several nights a week which developed its tight sound. He made a name for himself as a consummate entertainer on the NYC club circuit in recent years with extended engagements at The Oak Room, Birdland, The McKittrick Hotel and The Rose Bar. A friend of Lady Gaga who he met while bartending, he sometimes plays on her shows, and she appears on one selection. Newman's quintet backs him here and is comprised of Steve Kortya (Saxophone, Flute), Alex Smith (Piano, Keyboards), Joe Peri (Drums), Daniel Foose (Bass), and Paul Francis (Drums, Percussion). Some originals are mixed in with American Songbook classics on this disc which was produced by Dae Bennett, Tony Bennett's son, and record producer.

Newman is quite a capable trumpeter with a swinging, bright tone while saxophonist Kortya is  quite impressive as on the opening "San Pedro." This is a driving number that displays how good the rhythm section is as the horns trade fours with drummer Francis. His singing is decent but not as strong as his melodious trumpet as can be heard on the catching original, "Tropicalia." "Dancing In The Moonlight" has a funky reggae-flavored groove along with hot and appealing playing by Newman and Kortya. "Sunday in New York" is a lively tribute to his current home city with a credible vocal and more spirited playing.

Lady Gaga is, of course, a celebrated popular vocalist who has established herself as a singer of standards with her duets with Tony Bennett. She takes the spotlight on "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," with her personality exhibited here with strong trumpet accompaniment. The old pop instrumental "Spooky" is revived with a melodic rendition with Smith on the organ. Newman sings poignantly on "You Don't Know What Love Is," with some touching trumpet and Smith adding an engaging solo. Then there is the effervescent, swinging 'Pennies From Heaven," with choice piano and strong tenor sax. Bassist Foose is solid throughout, but especially vigorous here where he also solos.

With a lively Afro-Cuban big band feel, Tom Waits' "Jockey Full of Bourbon," closes this recording with a capable vocal and vivacious playing. With the strongly played and engaging music on "Showboat," Brian Newman and his Quintet display the reasons for the considerable appeal of their music.

I received this as a download from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the March-April 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 383), although I have made some edits to that published review for clarity. Here is the audio to "Spooky."