Album Notes

“This is exciting playing by a wonderful group of musicians, and clearly they have a deep respect for the jazz tradition. Ingrid and Louise have brought new things to music by way of creative lyrics and compositions. they connect beautifully with one another in terms of sound quality - nothing forced, nothing overdone, and very refined. Words from one song describe their collaboration perfectly: Warm and beautiful.” Tony Gould, pianist, composer, educator.

This is only one of the kind and admiring things people have said about the collection of originals and standards on Portrait, the first collaboration between jazz vocalist Ingrid James and pianist Louise Denson. The tunes range from the contemplative and poignant to the humorous and pointed, with a contemporary setting of a Finnish folk song completing the set. The song “Time to Be” won the Pinnacles Jazz Award at the 2007 Q Song Awards, but it is only one of a very strong and lyrical set of original compositions.

Ingrid has been described as “a fearless vocalist”, and has a rich, warm voice filled with textural and tonal variety. She is supported in an inventive and musical fashion by Louise Denson (pno), Helen Russell (bs), and Joe Marchisella (dr), and with the added delight of solos from Mark Spencer (sax) and Carl Harvoe (tpt).