2012-03-16
Detroit native jazz violinist Maureen Choi takes her quartet into a set of familiar standards and one original. Having a violin as the lead instrument helps tremendously so the covered-so-many-times songs such as "Caravan," "Sunny" and "'Round Midnight" feel fresh. The cover of the great Etta James tune "At Last" is exquisite. Applause is also due for the lone original here, "Alegria," which makes one interested in hearing more Choi tunes in the future. There aren't many jazz violinists playing lead these days--Regina Carter is the main exception to this--so it is pleasing to see a young artist begin a career using that special instrument in such talented ways. 03/12 Michael J. J-Contemporary (violin)
KURT ELLING
Nightmoves
VARIOUS ARTISTS
"The War" A Ken Burns Film - The Soundtrack
MeShell NdegeOcello
Comfort Woman
JAKE BERGEVIN
Holding Back the Dawn
ANGELO MICHAJLOV (Performed by Petra Cernocka and The Karl Vlach Orchestra)
Saxana
CONNIE EVINGSON WITH DAVE FRISHBERG
Little Did I Dream
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