Joyce Cooling raises the bar on her contemporary, smooth jazz statements to make a unique instrumental collection of ten original songs with
Third Wish. Her individual artistry is highly melodic, more aggressive, powerfully rhythmic and possesses the confidence and poise that comes from years of study and playing with successful musicians. Artistically, the recording features more percussive talent than her previous efforts:
Keeping Cool and
Playing It Cool. Teaming with
Joyce Cooling on
Third Wish is her longtime collaborator and keyboard player
Jay Wagner,
Gary Calvin on bass, Billy Johnson on drums, and Peter Michael Escovedo on percussion, among others. The songs are a delightful mix of upbeat musical tapestries that feature funk, smooth, cool jazz, and Brazilian rhythms. One great highlight on the CD is
Al Jarreau's vocalese on a very funky version of "Mm-Mm Good." The guitar influences of
Lee Ritenour seep through on "Daddy-O" and on the smooth bop-flavored "East Side." Michael Ortiz's cool, muted trumpet voice supplies some real nice comments to the musical conversation happening among
Joyce Cooling,
Jay Wagner, and Peter Michael Escovedo on "East Side." Listeners get an added treat:
Cooling's smooth, folksy vocals on several tunes including the reflective "It'll Come Back to Me." With the release of
Third Wish,
Joyce Cooling has come full circle, and continues to exceed the expectations of her fans and musical peers. ~ Paula Edelstein