Eliza Pope - Call Me a Fool (2015)

The number of talented young female jazz singers in Toronto is quite mind-boggling. To that list you can now add 20-year old Eliza Pope, as she has just released a debut record, Call Me A Fool, that showcases a rich potential. "One facet of my voice I'm most proud of is its versatility," Pope explains in her bio, and that claim is verified by her convincing singing on a diverse repertoire, from Songbook standards to "Hit The Road Jack" and Beatles gem "Here Comes The Sun". Three impressive original tunes also fit seamlessly into the mix. Assisting her cause is the co-production, keyboards and arranging work of Mark Kieswetter (Emilie-Claire Barlow) and the stellar accompaniment of Ross McIntyre, Eric St. Laurent, and Max Roach, with John "Beetle" Bailey doing the engineering at his elite studio The Drive-Shed.

The album will be launched at Toronto jazz hub The Jazz Bistro on May 19. ~ Kerry Doole