Amber Weekes Pure Imagination

Amber Weekes
Pure Imagination
Amber Inn Productions

A fixture on the Los Angeles jazz scene, and mentored by (among others) Sue Raney, Amber Weekes showcases her distinctive musical personality on a collection of American songbook classics and some more recent musical delicacies. Among those heard backing her are guitarists Mitchell Long and Ramon Stagnaro, flutist Justo Almario, altoist Keith Fiddmont, baritone saxophonist, Dale Fielder, violinist-arranger Mark Cargill, vibraphonist Nick Mancini, and bassist Trevor Ware. Cargill, who also conducted the string section, and bassist Trevor Ware are co-producers of this album.

The album opens with 'Pure Imagination" from "Willa Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," a delightful duet with Sue Raney with some amusing banter at its end. Weekes has an engaging, intimate, and flirty vocal approach. She swings vigorously despite an understated, almost whispering, vocal style with the swinging orchestral backing for "It's All Right With Me." Then there is her charming singing on "When He Makes Music" with Cargill's insistent violin solo.

Weekes is a great fan of Oscar Brown's songs. Brown's songs heard here includes a seductively sung, almost whispered, rendition of "The Snake." This track is built around Trevor Ware's bass backing. Peter Smith adds piano and Scotty Barnhart moaning trumpet obligatos and muted trumpet solo. It is followed by the sparkling, swinging "Gotta Be This or That," with some terrific saxophone from Fiddmont. Trevor Ware's bowed bass provides the sole backing for the hauntingly beautiful interpretation of Oscar Brown's "Brown Baby."

There is some splendid, uncredited guitar on the twenties' jazz classic "After Your Gone," and superb New Orleans brass band backing on Paul Simon's "Gone At Last," set to the music of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Then there is her charming bossa performance of the Barry Manilow & Johnny mercer penned "When October Goes" with lovely flute from Danilo Lorenzo." Another Oscar Brown song, "Mr. Kicks," is given an exuberant treatment with more exceptional saxophone from Fiddmont.

Weekes provides an introspective ballad rendition of "When October Goes," which is a bonus track. This interpretation closes this captivating set of distinctive jazz vocals.

I received my review copy from a publicist. here is a video of her performing "The Snake."