Simone Kopmajer Christmas

Simone Kopmajer
Christmas
Lucky Mojo Records

Austrian-born vocalist Simone Kopmajer impressed this listener with her 2019 engaging and charming recording, "Spotlight On Jazz." Her latest release focuses on the Christmas season and includes some seasonal favorites and some favorites from her homeland. Backing her on this project are pianist John di Martino, bassist Bob Kozlow, drummer Reinhardt Winkler, saxophonist and clarinetist Aaron Heick, and tenor saxophonist Terry Myers. Also present on several tracks are keyboardist Geri Schuller (who also plays Jews harp), bassist Beat Wiesinger, trumpeter Dominik Fuss, saxophonist Florian Fuss, bassoonist Georg Stepanek, dulcimer player Lukas Ganster, and diatonic accordionist Heinz Steinbauer.

Reviewing "Spotlight On Jazz," I was much impressed by "the clarity of her singing, her musicality, the purity of her sound, her phrasing and her diction." These same qualities are evident in this program of holiday music that spans jazz and folk traditions. Her singing also receives top-flight backing by the groups led by Mr. di Martino and the Austrian musicians starting from her playful, flirty rendition of "Santa Baby" and concluding with a bilingual "Silent Night/ Stille Nacht."

In addition to her exquisite singing, there is plenty of pleasures from the backing musicians. Mr. di Martino provides an elegant piano solo on "Santa Baby," along with a marvelous horn arrangement. Then there is a swinging "Jingle Bells," with some superb scatting and interplay with Heick's alto sax. Then there are Austrian hymns such "Leise Rieselt Der Schnee," with the Schick Singers adding their lovely harmony along with Heick's bluesy alto sax. Viktor Garnot joins in the understated duet vocal of "Baby, It's Cold Outside," with choice piano from di Martino and velvety clarinet by Heick.

Among the Christmas favorites included, Ms. Kopmajer composed a delightful original "The Most Wonderful Time," with Anna Catherina adding harmony. Other holiday favorites include "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas, "Feliz Navidad," "White Christmas," and the Austrian Carole "Es Wird Scho Glei Dumpa." Allen Harris adds his warmth to an engaging treatment of Mel Torme classic, "The Christmas Song." None of these performances are copies of more familiar renditions,

Three Austrian tunes (including "Silent Night/ Stille Nacht") close out this album of Christmas music magic. The delight of her singing, the varied program (including the fresh arrangements), and first-rate backing, result in an exceptional recording. Simone Kopmajer"s "Christmas" is a recording that will bring listeners considerable holiday cheer.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is "Baby, It's Cold Outside," from this album.

Singer Simone Kopmajer Places Spotlight On Jazz

Simone Kopmajer
Spotlight On Jazz
Lucky Mojo Blues

This recording is the 13th album by Simone Kopmajer, an Austrian born vocalist, who has developed an international reputation. Kopmajer is accompanied by tenor-saxophonist Terry Myers, guitarist Martin Spitzer, pianist Paul Urbanek, bassist Karl Sayer, and drummer Reinhardt Winkler. The songs include six standards and seven originals (by Kopmajer, Myers and Urbanek).

Kopmajer impresses listeners with her vocals clarity, her musicality, the purity of her tone, her phrasing and her clean diction. It also helps to have a solid swinging band handle a variety of material that includes a swinging "Pennies From Heaven," and a delicate rendition of "Poinciana." Other songs includethe is a second-line strut on "Struttin' With Some Barbecue." Drummer Winkler struts onhis solo while clarinetist Meyers is superb in his accompaniment and solo. Kopmajer is quite charming on "Exactly Like You" with a gentle vocal and playful scatting. Myers again is heard on clarinet.

Myers' tenor sax is marvelous on the swinging "Stompin' at the Savoy," and displays considerable warmth on "A Gift From Buddy," a ballad Kopmajer and Myers wrote. The swinging "We're Goin' In," has strong guitar from Spitzer and terrific piano by Urbanek. The playful, mostly wordless, singing on "Dig That Riff," is also heard as a remixed bonus track. Simone Kopmajer and her marvelous band deserve kudos from an engaging and charming vocal jazz recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the March-April 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 383), although I have made minor changes. Here is a video of he performing.