(August 28, 2024) Recording in a place like the Van Gelder studios in Englewood Cliffs, NJ will bring the best out of artists who know that building’s history. Samara Joy and her excellent band fall into that category. So, when this group of musicians stepped into the studio where John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman recorded their legendary album of ballads, they understood the assignment.
And on the standard “You Stepped Out of A Dream,” Joy and her sidemen execute the assignment with flair. Beginning with the bossa nova infused arrangement right down to Samara Joy’s crisp phrasing and range that often reminds me of Sarah Vaughan, this reinterpretation of the Great American Songbook classic stands out.
Like all great jazz vocalists, Joy deploys her voice like an instrument, which is a major reason why her sidemen enjoy playing with her. She energizes them, and that energy can be heard in the cohesion they have as a unit, as well as on the solos.
The band features Jason Charos on flugelhorn and trumpet, David Mason on alto sax and flute, Kendric McCallister on tenor sax, Donavan Austin on trombone, Connor Rohrer on piano, bassist Felix z Moseholm, and drummer Evan Sherman.
Portrait, the new album of standards and originals by Grammy winner Samara Joy drops on Oct. 11 but enjoy this advance listen of “You Stepped Out of a Dream” here.
By Howard Dukes
