Julie Kelly - Freedom Jazz Dance (2024)

Thoughtful vocalist Julie Kelly brings in some of LA’s finest in Josh Nelson/p-ley, Larry Koonse/g, Luca Alemanno/b, Dan Schnelle/dr, Aaron Serfaty/perc, Andrew Synowiec/g and Danny Janklow/s-fl for some classy interpretations. The material ranges from some -countryish folk on the guitar sliding “ Early Morning Rain” to a poetic “River People”, with Kelly bringing in some vocalese around Janklow on “Freedom Jazz Dance”. Nelson brings in some rich Brazilian flavors for Kelly’s Portuguese on “A Ra” and Gregory Porter’s “Take Me To The Alley” has Kelly in a Carmen McRae mood of earthiness. Simple pleasures.~by George W. Harris