Mimi Fox & Greta Matassa - Two For The Road (2003)

This live set is shared by guitarist Mimi Fox and singer Greta Matassa, a combination that works together quite well. Matassa mostly performs a variety of standards (other than Fox's "You're No Angel"), and both swings and uplifts the material. A fine jazz singer, her improvising pays respect to the songs but contains its surprising moments. Fox, who heads the five-piece "backup group" (which also includes pianist Randy Halberstadt) and is featured on the instrumental "Denney's Tune," sounds quite comfortable with Matassa, accompanying her sympathetically and adding some fiery solos that push the singer. This musical partnership brings out the best in both performers. ~ Scott Yanow