Helen Sung - Sung with Words (2018)

Helen Sung keeps up the glowing sophistication in her way of playing that withstands any sort of a synthetic approach to music. She puts this skill into use in her new recording, Sung With Words, the first containing all original compositions. Every single piece was inspired by the words of Californian poet Dana Gioia.

Sung puts together a central sextet with saxophonist/clarinetist John Ellis, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Reuben Rogers, drummer Kendrick Scott, and percussionist Samuel Torres. The vocal tracks, in which every syllable is served with lyric refinement after Gioia’s spoken-word intros, are ‘entrusted’ to whether one or two accomplished guest singers such as Jean Baylor, Carolyn Leonhart, Christie Dashiel, and Charenee Wade.

Personnel:
Helen Sung - piano
Dana Gioia - spoken word
John Ellis - tenor and soprano sax, bass clarinet
Ingrid Jensen - trumpet
Reuben Rogers - bass
Kendrick Scott - drums
Samuel Torres - percussion

Guest Vocalists:
Jean Baylor, Carolyn Leonhart, Christie Dashiel, Charenee Wade