When Broadway actress
Jessica Molaskey met jazz guitarist/vocalist
John Pizzarelli, an engaging partnership (both musical and marital) was formed.
Molaskey enjoyed the musical family she married into, including father and guitarist
Bucky and brother-in-law/bassist
Martin, all of whom join her on her first CD for a purely jazz label. Rounding out the band is the talented young violinist
Aaron Weinstein, a swinging, sensitive player in the
Stéphane Grappelli tradition whose maturity on his instrument belies his youth. One of
Molaskey's greatest strengths is her effortless ability to convey the emotion of each song without overdoing it, while her vocals are always right on the money. She also chose quite a few pieces that have long fallen into obscurity, including the upbeat "Happy Habit," the brightly swinging "Hello Sunshine Hello" (which interpolates "You Are My Sunshine" and utilizes multi-tracked vocals), and "Breezin' Along with the Breeze."
John joins her for an intimate vocal duet of "Tea for Two" that includes the oft-omitted verse, along with their warm original "Hiding in Plain Sight," the latter adding guest
Larry Fuller on piano. She also chose a pair of
Stephen Sondheim songs, offering a playful rendition of "Everybody Loves Louis" (from Sunday in the Park with George and the sentimental ballad "Isn't He Something" (from Bounce.
Jessica Molaskey will warm an audience of any size with this superb release. ~ Ken Dryden