Ronny Whyte - Shades of Whyte (2017)

Vocalist, pianist, composer and arranger, Ronny Whyte sounds like he knows how to work a room. He teams up with Boots Maleson/b, Sean Harksness/g, Lou Caputo/ts-fl, Mauricio De Souza-David Silliman/dr and Alex Nguyen/tp for a hip and swinging mix of originals and standards. Of the former, he’s got a clever sense of lyrics and likes the samba swaying as on “It’s Time For Love” while the shuffling “I’ll Tel l You What” and romantic “Blame It On The Movies” display his clear enunciation of witty lyrics. Caputo’s tenor is earthy on “Some of My Best Friends are the Blues” while his flute floats on the dreamy “Isn’t That The Thing To Do?” whereas Nguyen’s horn is swingin’ on “This Song Is You” and slinky with the leader on his “I Love the Way You Dance.” A real crowd pleaser.

Ronny Whyte - Piano, Vocals & Arrangements, Boots Maleson - Bass, Sean Harksness - Guitar, Lou Caputo - Tenor Sax & Flute, Mauricio de Souza - Drums, Alex Nguyen - Trumpet, David Silliman - Drums.