Tierney Sutton - Unsung Heroes (2000)

Tierney Sutton's light, sweet voice is not yet as familiar to most jazz fans as those of Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan, but on the evidence of her first two albums, it deserves to be. Her flexibility and control are world-class, and she has a sense of taste that has never failed her on record; although her technique is superb, she never seems to be showing off. Unsung Heroes doesn't quite achieve the magic of her debut (Introducing Tierney Sutton, on A Records), but it's never less than entrancing: the program consists of jazz standards that are more commonly performed as instrumentals (hence the album's title), and her interpretations of "Indiana/Donna Lee" and "When Lights Are Low" are effortlessly charming; her take on the Dizzy Gillespie classic "Con Alma," with its slightly eerie a capella intro, is especially strong. Sutton is supported primarily by her longtime quartet, pianist Christian Jacob, bassist Trey Henry, and drummer Ray Brinker. Highly recommended.