Steve Berndt - Déjà Vu (2012)

Déjà Vu is the first of a two album set of vocal & piano jazz recordings produced by vocalist Steve Berndt and featuring renowned pianist Brian Browne. Titled after a Steve Berndt composition, Déjà Vu is a compilation of classic jazz standards showcasing Brian Browne's virtuoso accompaniment & improvisation. The album was recorded live to muti-track with the only rehearsal being the experience gained from Steve & Brian's years of performing together. The joy and spontaneity of the session is obvious, each arrangement is improvised “as the tape is rolling” and most of the tracks are first and only takes.

Déjà Vu was well received in Canada and was included in The Ottawa Citizen's Top 10 jazz recording list for 2012. The album also received rotational airplay on CBC Radio 1's national jazz show “Tonic” with Tim Tamishiro.

Review of Déjà Vu by well known jazz critic Scott Yanow:

Steve Berndt, a multi-talented jazz singer, trombonist and arranger-composer from Ottawa, Canada, is involved with many different projects. He produces and performs original jump blues with the Jivewires, was a member of the Detroit-based Funk Brothers, plays trombone with Delbert & The Commotions, and is a member of the ska band Rudeboy. However the music on Déjà Vu is something completely different.
The set of duets with pianist Brian Browne features Steve Berndt as a swinging singer who interprets 11 veteran standards plus his own “Déjà Vu” (which could become a standard in the future). Berndt’s voice is strong and pleasing, he has an inviting and cheerful style, and he excels on both ballads and medium-tempo pieces.
Veteran Brian Browne has been an important pianist in the Canadian jazz and music scene for a half-century. He is very much a two-handed pianist and on Déjà Vu one never misses the bass or drums. His accompaniment of the vocals is tasteful and full of an infectious forward momentum while his many solos are both modern and timeless.
Whether it is a bittersweet version of “As Time Goes By,” a heartfelt “Tenderly” or joyful renditions of “Pennies From Heaven,” “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You” and “Sweet Lorraine,” Déjà Vu is an easily enjoyable disc of classy vocals and top-notch jazz piano. It shows off Steve Berndt’s voice and Brian Browne’s piano at their best.

Scott Yanow, author of 11 books including The Jazz Singers, The Great Jazz Guitarists, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76