The first vocalist to study at the
Thelonious Monk Jazz Institute and winner of the
Thelonious Monk Vocal Jazz Competition in 2004,
Gretchen Parlato has cut a different path than singers who stick to time-tested standards and familiar jazz works. Her third CD is a wide-ranging affair, featuring singer/songwriter pop ballads, post-bop, her own originals, and works by her supporting musicians adding her lyrics. Her core band consists of keyboardist
Taylor Eigsti, bassist
Derrick Hodge, and drummer
Kendrick Scott, with tenor saxophonist
Dayna Stephens added on several tracks.
Parlato's approach to
Wayne Shorter's "Juju" has a mysterious air, with her hypnotic vocals buoyed by
Stephens' effusive tenor.
Parlato's interpretations of pieces by several rising stars from her generation are impressive, including the whispering treatment of
Ambrose Akinmusire's "Henya," along with pieces by
Eigsti and
Stephens. She demonstrates her versatility in her breezy interpretation of the samba "Alô, Alô," mastering its Portuguese lyric and providing the sole accompaniment as percussionist.
Parlato penned both the music and lyric to the driving post-bop vehicle "Winter Wind," while her "Better Than" is a dreamy pop ballad. It's clear that
Gretchen Parlato doesn't want to be restricted by stylistic boundaries, so jazz fans with open ears will find a lot of treasures to discover within
The Lost and Found.