Jeannine Otis - Into My Heart

Jeannine Otis
Into My Heart
Adrielle Music

Born in Detroit, Jeannine Otis is a vocalist, educator, actress, and author living on Staten Island, NY. She was born in a musical family. Her mother was musical director for several Detroit area churches, and she was a cousin to the Thad, Hank, and Elvin Jones. Currently, she is the music director for St. Mark's Church in Greenwich Village. On this recording, she is supported by Stanley Banks on bass, Sam Jacobs on congas, Saul Rubin and Jimmy Ponzi on guitar, Stanton Davis on trumpet, and Johnathan Sherry on piano. Also contributing are Frank Koopman and Onaje Allen Gumbs. Otis wrote several songs while interpreting songs from Betty Shirley, Duke Ellington, Onaje Allen Gumbs, and others.

Otis has a soft, at times whispering, delivery with a touch of vibrato and a relaxed, fluid phrasing. She also has a penchant for Brazilian music, as reflected on the opening "Mod Is For Lovin'" with Ponzi's attractive acoustic guitar and Davis' melodious trumpet. "Touch Me Tonight" is an original torch song she composed. 

Guitarist Saul Rubin plays all the instruments behind Otis' world-weary vocal (and backing vocals) on "Sweet Sad Guitar" and Betty Shirley's delightful "Cokika." Rubin adds exquisite guitar to Otis' intimate rendition of "Lover Man" and her appealing interpretation of "In a Sentimental Mood." Onaje Allen Gumbs wrote and arranged "Joy For Life" and "Into My Heart," both with a dreamy, soothing backing, including smooth soprano sax, for her vocals.

Jeannine Otis sings with a charming appeal and capably supported on an intriguing recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist.

Lou Volpe Remembers Ol' Blue Eyes

A guitarist who transcends the realms of jazz, R&B and adult contemporary, Lou Volpe's newest recording is his salute to Frank Sinatra whose centennial was in 2015. "Remembering Ol' Blue Eyes (Songs of Sinatra)" (Jazz Guitar Records) has him performing 13 standards that are associated with Sinatra to which Volpe provides his personal interpretation while displaying his virtuosity and melodic sense. On eleven selections, Volpe is joined in a supportive role by Delmar Brown, Mel Davis and Onaje Allen Gumbs on keyboards; bassists Stanley Banks and Leo Traversa; Buddy Williams and Gary Fritz on drums and percussion respectively; with drummer Sipho Kunene offering his talents on one track. On the other three selections he plays solo.

There is plenty to like about listening to Volpe with spectacular single-note runs, riveting chordal playing, rich smears, edgy twang, swirling crescendos, filigreed delicacy and more backed by the various backing trios for performances that mix melodic ornamentation and scintillating improvisations. The Brazilian groove underlying the rendition of "Speak Low," while the rendition of "It Was A Very Good Year," with Gumbs on keyboards is taken in a R&B tinged vein with plenty of smears and twang against the simple, steady groove.

Volpe has big ears and there are tinges of Wes Montgomery on a swinging "A Foggy Day," while the late night melancholy of "One For The Road," is given a lively reworking with some twang and snap from the leader. "Days of Wine and Roses" is a lovely performance with Volpe effectively using overdub as he takes his lead over a simple chordal backing. Much the same can be said of the extremely lovely "Softly As I Leave You." There is more exquisite playing on the closing selection, Carlos Santana's "Europa" subtitled by Lou "(Dedicated to the Brilliance of Frank)," again with just Volpe and his guitars.

While I found a couple selections, such as "That's Life," not completely successful, "Remembering Ol' Blue Eyes (Songs of Sinatra)" is easy to listen to and full of considerable musical substance. He may be a guitar virtuoso, but Lou Volpe also is one who knows how to intrigue and entertain his listeners.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is "I'll Remember April" from the release.