Wendy Kirkland Quartet - Piano Divas (2017)

This is Wendy’s first recording and the results heard promise a bright future. She has a good jazz voice which she uses to effect on a variety of material here, most of it, as it goes, alien to jazz tradition but she manages to integrate it into the language, so to speak. 'Slow Boat To China' was recorded by Charlie Parker but seen as an unlikely novelty choice at the time; here Wendy gives it a swinging treatment, her voice bright, the piano accompaniment spot on in this version. Paying tribute in a brief sleeve note to other singer/pianists, Wendy mentions Diana Krall, Dena De Rose, Blossom Dearie and Shirley Horn. Her own brand of jazz singing combined with piano accompaniment and soloing seems to me to be closest to Dena De Rose in the way she does both jobs equally well and in her presentation style. The material is not altogether what jazz buffs might expect but it all seems to work well as Wendy takes on 'Hey Good Lookin,’' and 'It’s Not Unusual' although that last named is, fortunately, done as a slow, meditative ballad and never slips into Tom Jones speak. Her crisp, uncluttered solo on this selection is first rate. The notes also point out that these tracks were recorded with Wendy playing piano and singing simultaneously with very little editing afterwards. Ben Sidran’s 'Be Nice', works very well as a jazz piano solo with vocal even if it is an unlikely seeming vehicle for a jazzer. Although they support sturdily throughout the backing trio are brought into focus on 'Samba Chico' where guitarist Sprake plays an inventive solo segment before Wendy returns for some scat and piano gymnastics. Her tribute to Nina Simone and the duet she sings with fellow vocalist, Gary Grace on 'Don't Worry Be Happy' provide variety on a well- planned, straight ahead jazz session that should please all enthusiasts. ~ Derek Ansell

Personnel: Wendy Kirkland (voc, p), Pat Sprakes (elg), Paul Jefferies (b), Stevie Smith (d)