You Are There Roberta Gambarini Artist

{|Roberta Gambarini|} is a breath of fresh air among female jazz vocalists. Gifted with superb clear diction, a warm engaging voice, and an uncanny ability to bring out the best in each song, {|Gambarini|} shines throughout this one-afternoon session, recorded without isolation booths, splicing, or overdubs. Her sole accompanist is the masterful pianist {|Hank Jones|}, a veteran who knows something about inspiring great vocalists with his inventive piano playing, having recorded with {|Ella Fitzgerald|}, {|Billie Holiday|}, {|Anita O'Day|}, and {|Helen Merrill|} during a career that began over six decades prior to this session. The duo chose a wide-ranging mix of standards, show tunes, and jazz compositions (both familiar and lesser-known), along with some forgotten chestnuts of yesteryear. It is not surprising to learn that {|Gambarini|} and {|Jones|} entered the studio without a rehearsal or any arrangements, yet completed most of the 14 songs in a single take. {|Stardust|} is one of the most recorded works of all time, yet {|Gambarini|} recognizes the nuances within it and takes her time exploring each chorus, while {|Jones|}' elegant backing and delicious solo are flawless. {|Billy Strayhorn|}'s {|Lush Life|} is one of the most demanding jazz compositions, a melancholy ballad with an unusual structure that trips up many vocalists, but {|Gambarini|} takes her time with a deliberate interpretation that ranks with any previous vocal recording of it. Their magical rendition of the sentimental ballad {|You Are There|} (music by {|Johnny Mandel|}, lyrics by {|Dave Frishberg|}) seems like it would be a natural choice for a film soundtrack. {|Deep Purple|} may have fallen out of favor in modern jazz, but {|Gambarini|} and {|Jones|} reveal its timeless quality with a sparkling performance. She's in a playful mood in {|You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me.|} This exceptional vocal/piano duo recording is clearly one for the ages. ~ Ken Dryden