Martha Taylor Lacroix - Jazzily Seasoned With Martha Taylor LaCroix (2013)

Tracklist

01. Midnight Sun
02. Just About Everything
03. Lush Life
04. The Grass Is Greener
05. Morning Star
06. Never Will I Marry
07. Rough for a While
08. Twisted
09. Guess Who I Saw Today
10. Straight No Chaser
11. We Tried
12. Better Than Anything
13. Chittlins in the White House
14. Follow Your Road
15. You're Gonna Hear from Me



This is the first solo jazz album Martha Taylor LaCroix has recorded. However, jazz has been in her repertoire for over 20 years. “Consistently interesting” is how Ms. LaCroix was described by one reviewer. Her vocal stylings encompass a range of musical influences from spiritual classics to traditional jazz compositions. She joined the Dick Stabile (musical director for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis) Orchestra in New Orleans as a vocalist & extended her professional chops as a singer with the chorus of the New Orleans Opera Company several years thereafter. She appeared on stage as backup singer to Lee Dorcey & Allen Toussant in New Orleans and was vocalist with the Ronnie Cole Trio performing at the very first New Orleans Jazz Festival. Like so many spirited musicians, Ms. LaCroix began singing as a child in the church of her legendary father, the Rev. Gardner C. Taylor at Concord Baptist Church in New York City. Her father inspired her first CD “Seasoned for Fathers.” On this cd,"Sweet Hour of Prayer" is her dad's favorite. Her sophomoric recording "The Reason - Seasoned for Christmas" is a collection of spiritual Christmas selections most notably her popular rendition of “I Give You Jesus” & "Mary Did You Know?."

Ms. LaCroix has released three recordings that reflect her varied musical interest. The most recent is a collection of jazz classics recorded and produced with legendary pianist and arranger Howlett Smith. This recording features some popular originals by Mr. Smith including, “Let’s Go Where the Grass is Greener” originally recorded by vocalist extraordinaire Nancy Wilson. Added to this collection of jazz favorites are a few beloved pieces not heard as often. As a special treat, Howlett Smith adds to the playlist originals recorded for the first time, ever. Titled “Jazzily Seasoned with Martha Taylor LaCroix,” this latest recording echoes the words of another reviewer who said; “Marti comes across with a cool, elegant, diamond-and-pearl restraint.”

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