Album Notes

Personnel: Steve Rudolph, piano
Allen Farnham, piano
Steve Varner, bass
Rich De Rosa, drums
Tim Warfield, saxophone
Tony Miceli, vibraphones

Banks splendidly interactive debut jazz recording features legendary pianist Allen Farnham. Banks covers a wide dynamic and emotional range on one original composition and nine jazz standards. With technical ease and creative imagination, Banks shows she is a rare and extraordinary vocalist.

"How High the Moon" begins the journey with an emotional rubato statement of the melody that flares into a joyous driving swing, conveying energetic and unadulterated jazz. With "How High the Moon," conjured feelings of reaching to the stars fill your mind; "Poetry Man," takes you on a sultry and sexual outlay of emotion. Tim Warfield blazes into a forward motion of complexities within his solo to compliment Banks and her potent vocal delivery. "Devil May Care," certainly a well-covered standard also receives the silky vocal styling of Banks, with a solid bed of swinging groove provided by her all-star cast of musicians. Banks displays her range as she stretches her vocal chords on "When the Sun Comes Out." Her bluesy articulation is delicate but forceful as she belts the core of the story line right to your heart.
As the title suggests "I Get Along Without You Very Well," heartbreaking discord surrounds the mood of this rendition. The portrayal of loneliness and mystery are perfectly expressed by Banks. "It Keeps You Running," is a tasteful presentation of Michael McDonald's legendary hit song sprinkled with overtones of "All Blues." Banks waxes melodic on "Foul Play," a nice parlay into Banks penned track "Ruined for the Rest." Banks composition is a highlight of the offering with a bouncing lilted swing coupled with Banks fiery scatting style and lighthearted appeal. Steve Varner serves up a pithy, effective solo transitioning nicely into the next cut "Lover Man," which begins with a scaled poignant entrance of bass and voice. Banks employs panoply of tension notes to increase the intensity of radiance created within this track. As true throughout the album, Banks ends the release with grace and beauty with Hoagey Carmichael's timeless tune "Skylark." Her soaring vocals and haunting rendition leave you desiring to play the CD repeatedly.

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