Artist: Julie Dunn

Date of Release: 09/08/2007

Catalogue no: 1276

Label: 33 Records

Price: £12

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Track Listing

A collection of Jazz standards with finely crafted arrangements by top jazz pianist John Horler (Dankworths, Modern Jazz Trio). Featuring John on piano, sax virtuoso Tony Coe, Paul Morgan bass, Quinny Lawrence drums, Phil Lee guitar, Ray Butcher trumpet. Recorded at Derek Nash's Clowns Pocket Studio, Kent.

Reviews

30/06/2007 Steve Gray, Pianist/Arranger

PRAISE FOR THE NEW ALBUM "WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT"
One of my favourite albums, as much for its title as for its content, is "Ruby Braff and Dick Hyman Play Nice Tunes".

So could this album have been called "Julie Dunn Sings Nice Songs"? Possibly, but many good things would have been missed. The limpid guitar of Phil Lee on "Close Enough For Love", for example; an accompaniment that fits like a velvet glove.

Then there's the subtle but solid swing of the rhythm team of Paul Morgan and Quinny Lawrence, and Ray Butcher giving us a comprehensive overview of 50 years of trumpet playing in the space of 24 bars. And there is so much that can be said about Tony Coe. He is truly one of the most original voices on saxophones and clarinet in jazz. His performances on this album are breathtaking.

John Horler, the chef d'orchestre, is another musician whose brilliance has become appreciated over the years. An accomplished pianist with a clear singing tone and a strong melodic gift, he is also an arranger whose understated style conceals an impressive technique. Try analysing the introduction to "Skylark" for a mini-master class in thematic development...

And of course we have Julie Dunn herself. Her unforced phrasing and her sense of rhythm are married to a voice that is rich, warm and infused with optimism; a very rare quality in jazz these days. All of these accomplishments are placed in the service of a wide and varied repertoire; one that includes both "Alfies" (I like that touch).

So: "Julie Dunn Sings Nice Songs Beautifully And In The Company Of Some Of The Best Musicians Around"? As an album title it's utterly hopeless; as an album description – bang on the money.