Album Notes

EJAZZNEWS.COM (June 12, 2008)
By: Edward Blanco

Southern California award-winning jazz vocalist Cris Barber has released her fourth album with “This Moment To Be Free” and it’s another winner of a recording. Often compared to Diana Krall, Barber uses her warm smooth vocals to interpret a terrific selection of pop and jazz standards like Victor Young’s “My Foolish Heart,” Cole Porter’s “Love For Sale,” and Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird” to name a few. All together the CD boasts fourteen tunes where the lady swings and voices love ballads to the heart.

What makes this album a success is not only Barber’s vocal talents but her phenomenal backup. Assisting the Singer here is a core quintet comprised of first-call Los Angeles studio and concert players among them, Karen Hammack (piano), Barry Cogert (bass), Aldo Bentivegna (drums), Kurt Rasmussen (percussions), Jamie Findlay (guitar) and Greg Vail (sax and flute). Also appearing as special guest is guitarist Laurie Morvan performing on her original, “Family Line,” and Mark Barnes playing the Hammond B3 on “Family Line” and “What Is It.”

Eden Ahbez’s classic standard “Nature Boy” is given one heck of an overhaul here as Barber voices the lyrics to a splendid Latin jazz rendition for one of the finer tunes on the disc. The lady and the band swing on the jazz staple “Devil May Care” with superb piano chops from Hammack. This tune is followed up by another sizzler in “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” where saxophonist Vail scorches one behind the singer’s lead.

Barber shows a bit of her tender side on Duke Ellington’s “I Got It Bad,” and the love tune “Be Sure,” then turns a bit funky on the pop finale of “Sunny” completing one fine session of wonderful light hearted contemporary jazz with a twist. “This Moment To Be Free” is one of the finer jazz vocals recordings you’ll find this year and Cris Barber’s splendid performance is one reason why.

Year: 2008
Label: 37 Records
Artist Web: www.crisbarbermusic.com


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**NEWEST RELEASE ON 37 RECORDS

With four CDs in release and an Orange County Music Award – Best Jazz Artist to her credit, Cris Barber is one of the most influential singers in the Southern California jazz scene. Her vocal style has gained her fans across the world and radio airplay in over TWENTY countries and distribution in Asia and South Africa as well as here in the US. In the last few years she has attended the International Association of Jazz Education show in New York City; received multiple Orange County and Southern California Music Awards nominations; and performed at most of Californias’ top venues. She is currently planning a National Tour.

With Cris‘ latest CD, This Moment To Be Free, she introduces a wonderful mix of Jazz tunes along with some beloved Pop/Folk classics with a unique “jazz treatment” – including four originals by some of her very talented songwriter friends.

This CD features some of the best session and performance musicians in Los Angeles. They masterfully blend with Cris’ vocal style for a wonderful, cohesive sound indicative of a truly great jazz album.

Cris Barber – Vocals
Karen Hammack – Piano
Barry Cogert – Bass
Aldo Bentivegna – Drums
Greg Vail – Sax and Flute
Jamie Findlay – Guitar
Kurt Rasmussen – Percussion
Mark Barnes – B3 Organ
Laurie Morvan – Guitar “Family Line"


"This album was such a treat to record. We've made some wonderful music throughout the years together but this project is so special. Each one of these players brings more heart and soul to the plate than I could have dreamed of.

I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed recording it.

Thanks for supporting local and independent artists. We couldn't keep making the music we ALL love without your help."

Thanks again!
Cris