Ashley Pezzotti We've Only Just Begun

Ashley Pezzotti
We've Only Just Begun
Self-produced

This debut recording by the 23-year-old singer Ashley Pezzotti is one that displays a very intriguing talent. She is backed by Emmet Cohen on piano, Bob Bruya on bass, and Kyle Poole on drums, with Alex Weitz adding tenor saxophone to 7 of the 13 songs on this release. Her intonation, the clarity of her phrasing, her vocal dynamics, and her timing are impeccable, and she is also a wonderful songwriter inspired by the American Songbook.

The opening "It Only Takes a Moment," is taken at a breakneck tempo which she navigates with ease singing the lyrics as well as scatting. The title track is a wonderful original with her handling tempo changes and Weitz adds a wonderful solo while the rhythm section is terrific. There is the Latin spice of another original, "Solo Tú," where she sings in Spanish with another marvelous tenor sax solo and Cohen's exquisite piano solo. Poole also pushes this swinging performance with a deft, light touch.

"That Way" is a sprightly performance with some horn-like scatting, and followed by her lovely ballad, "I Hope You Find Her," another striking lyric as well as vocal. There is plenty of warmth in Weitz's tenor sax that caresses her captivating voice on "September in the Rain," with some sublime scatting, Cohen's fine solo and Weitz's feathery tenor sax solo. Bassist Bruya solos and trades fours with Poole.

There is also her wistful vocal on "Darn That Dream," accompanied only by Cohen, followed by the performance of "Jackie," that is taken at a brisker tempo than Annie Ross' original. Again she delivers the lyrics and scats with clean, swinging precision with the same sympathetic backing as present throughout this recording. It is an exhilarating close to a superb debut of a vocalist we will be hearing more of.

I received a download to review from a publicist. This review appeared in the January-February 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 382), although I have made minor changes. Here is Ashley performing at New York City's Birdland Theater.