Her experienced jazz voice weaves interpreted lyrics and scat singing around a star-studded New Orleans quintet for one eventful night on the town. A native of “The Big Easy,” Christina Machado swings with a natural ease that has been influenced through years of studying the works of Ella, Billie, Carmen, and many more. With Nicholas Payton and company backing her on this debut recording, Machado offers a varied set of romantic ballads, swinging jaunts, and up-tempo romps. She’s at her best on the brightest numbers, where she demonstrates a fiery enthusiasm for mixing it up and a clear understanding of jazz’s broad mainstream. “Free Yourself,” an original by Payton and Machado, serves as a particularly poignant example, with its up-tempo, Mississippi Delta shuffle rhythm and perky attitude. Machado enters the field, already crowded with female jazz singers, by turning loose her natural affinity for fire and passion. One of the band’s high points arises from Brice Winston’s luscious tenor solo on “Wave,” a sultry samba arrangement that also includes English lyrics and soulful scatting from Machado. Other high points include Peter Martin’s piano interlude on “Free Yourself,” Payton’s sparkling flugelhorn solo on “I Didn’t Know About You,” and his romantic trumpet interlude for “What Are You Doing With the Rest of Your Life?” Memorable and recommended, Machado’s debut album welcomes a talented jazz singer with genuine chops to the mainstream forum.
Track Listing
Gone with the Wind; Dearly Beloved; Midnight Sun; I'm Old Fashioned; I Remember You; Wave; I Didn't Know About You; On a Clear Day; Free Yourself; What are You doing the Rest of Your Life?
Christina Machado - Vocal; Nicholas Payton - Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Trombone/Arranger; Brice Winston - Tenor and Soprano Sax/Flute; John Ellis - Tenor Sax; Michael Esneault - Piano; Peter Martin - Piano/Fender Rhodes; Roland Guerin - Bass; Adonis Rose - Drums; Kenyetta Simon - Percussion
Album information
Title: Gone with the Wind
| Year Released: 2002
| Record Label: Unknown label
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Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues,The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.