Thomas Quasthoff - The Jazz Album: Watch What Happens (2007) 320kbps

Is it surprising that a master of German art song would produce a jazz album? Not if he's Thomas Quasthoff, who has sung jazz since his university days and maintains an infectious enthusiasm for it. From breezily light baritone to sexy bass (he rumbles very comfortably around low F), Quasthoff totally adapts his sound to the music's needs, confidently attacking certain notes "white" before adding vibrato. The American "r" – so difficult for foreign artists – does draw undue attention, as do certain vowel sounds, but otherwise Quasthoff's delivery of English is convincing. He sings much of the music comparatively "straight" (one frequently wishes he'd indulge in some really off-the-wall improvisation), but he definitely knows his way around this material. Highlights are a cool "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," a jaunty "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive," and especially haunting versions of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" and Duke Ellington's "In My Solitude." Very enjoyable, too, is the growling conclusion of Stevie Wonder's "You and I." Quasthoff is supported by a strong ensemble, including Germany's most gifted jazz trumpeter, Till Brönner, and the excellent pianist Alan Broadbent. The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchestra, however, brings an unwelcome "101 Strings""flavor to six numbers. --Roger Pines