Janine Gilbert-Carter - My Foolish Heart (2018)

Janine Gilbert-Carter has certainly established herself as a world class vocalist beyond the environs of the Washington metropolitan area where she has resided since 1988. Janine cannot remember a time when music was not a part of her life. She was introduced to gospel, jazz and blues by her parents and grandmother who recognized her talent at an early age and encouraged her to sing in their church choir in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. She soon joined the Bach Choir, performing European classical music and Broadway popular songs.
She really got into singing jazz when she moved to Washington and entered the Ronnie Wells University of Jazz Singing. Ah, the late Ronnie Wells! She was mentor to so many vocalists and the founder and director of the East Coast Jazz Festival. Janine studied with Ronnie and did so well in the Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship competition that she got a spot on the 2006 Festival. Ronnie asked me to host the concert with Janine. That performance was recorded and released as A Song For You on the Jazz Karma label.
Since that concert and recording Janine has toured extensively while continuing to perform locally at Laporta’s, Westminster church and Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Society. She is a popular attraction at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival.
My Foolish Heart features some of the finest musicians performing in the DMV, the hip name for the District, Maryland and Virginia. Saxophonist Antonio Parker, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is known for his dynamic, energetic and virtuosic performances. He has degrees from Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia. DeAndre` Shaifer, a graduate of the UDC jazz program under Calvin Jones, was voted best jazz trumpeter of 2015 in the Washington City Paper. Guitarist Isaac Daniels, who has performed with Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan, is on the faculty of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
William Knowles is one of the most sought after pianists in DC and has worked on numerous theatrical productions. Drummer Manny Kellough is probably best known for his work with Billy Preston, but has performed with numerous other luminaries including Larry Graham of Graham Central Station. Sais Kamalidiin doubles on flute and harmonica on this recording. He has a masters degree in music performance from Howard and a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Maryland. He is on the faculty of Howard University. On bass is Wes “Sugah” Biles, who has been a longtime collaborator with Janine, and is one of the most in demand bassist by vocalists because of his sweet sound.
The album opens with a hard-swinging rendition of the rarely performed Be A Sweet Pumpkin. The other selections from the Great American Songbook all provide opportunities for the musicians working with Janine to shine. Antonio and Isaac have great solos on That Old Black Magic. Janine takes you through some changes on You’ve Changed with some great interaction with Sais on flute. On Good Morning Heartache and Janine’s Blues Sais takes out his harmonica and, oh, does Janine get down on her blues!
DeAndre gets in some swinging solos throughout the album, as do William, Wes and Manny, as this is a jazz recording with all that term implies: tight arrangements, masterful solos and the incredible range of the vocalist in interpreting the songs. Over a decade ago before she passed Ronnie Wells got to see how well her protégé Janine Gilbert-Carter had developed into a true jazz vocalist by making the songs she grew up with by Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan into her own. Ronnie would have been proud of what Janine has done with My Foolish Heart. It is Janine Gilbert-Carter at her best. ~Rusty Hassan