Jeri Brown - April in Paris (1996)

Jeri Brown, who has emerged to become one of the top jazz singers of the 1990s, pays tribute to the passion of Paris on this CD without performing the title cut. Sticking to ballads (other than a medium-tempo "Summertime"), Brown's sensuous voice (particularly her low notes) are wellsuited to the complex material, which includes a song co-written with Kenny Wheeler ("Gentle Piece"), a pair of Michel Legrand numbers that add the effective accordion of Roberto De Brashov, a brief poem, a couple of standards and mostly high-quality obscurities. The music is atmospheric and sometimes haunting, swinging lightly and filled with subtle invention by the talented singer and her supportive trio. (by Scott Yanow)