Paloma Sky - Hold on to Me (2024)

Trumpeter, vocalist and composer Marie Goudy puts together a soulful and accessible team of Jocelyn Barth/voc, Stu Harrison/p, Nick Arsnault/b-voc and Andrew Soctt/dr-voc through an album that makes jazz accessible to modern ears. Barth works well as an ingénue whimsical on the poppish “Cardinal in the Snow” and bohemian for “At The Shore” with the leader supplying clear brass support mixed with some muted pastels. The leader growls and plunges deeper than Beyonce’s neckline on the earthy blues of “Hold On To Me” and is prismatic around Scotts’ clever drum work on “The Huntress”. Catchy pieces like “Dance of The Stars” and the “Mexico” don’t detract from the swinging atmosphere, as alto saxist Alison Young gives a hefty solo on the latter to keep you on your toes. Post bop pop.~By George W. Harris

Personnel:
Marie Goudy - trumpet, voice, compositions, Jocelyn Barth - voice, Stu Harrison - piano, Nick Arseneau - bass, voice, Andrew Scott - drums, voice,Elizabeth Shepherd - producer