Simone Kopmajer - Taking A Chance On Love (Japan, 2010)

An Austrian singer who goes by her first name only, Simone was born in 1982 in a musical family. She started classical piano when she was 8 and began singing professionally at 15. The present album is her third for Venus Records. In this New York recording, Simone was supported by a superb piano trio. John Di Martino is a wonderful pianist from Philadelphia who plays both straight ahead and Latin jazz. Together with drummer Tim Horner, he has recorded several trio albums for the Venus label. George Mraz lends his hands in the bass chair and special guests Houston Person (tenor sax) and Dick Oatts (flute and soprano sax) add texture and color to the proceedings.