Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Sweet Baby J'ai: The Art Of Blue

66

Sweet Baby J'ai: The Art Of Blue

By

Sign in to view read count
Sweet Baby J'ai: The Art Of Blue
Introduced to jazz at an early age in Kansas City, where her uncle Vernon Gower played bass with Billie Holiday and Lionel Hampton, Sweet Baby J'ai has been impressing Los Angeles audiences for the past ten years with her eclectic approach that includes jazz, blues, and spoken word. Surrounded by several of L.A.'s finest musicians, J'ai's original storytelling approach is enhanced by trumpeter Oscar Brashear, pianist Nate Morgan, saxophonist Louis Taylor, Jr., bassists Nedra Wheeler & Trey Henry, and others.

Her message, that jazz comes in enough shapes and sizes to suit everyone, is delivered openly in the title song: "Look to the rainbow / Notice every hue / Look to the rainbow / There are many kinds of blues" and, in particular: "From boogie woogie and swing / To bebop, cool and free jazz / From blues on a back porch in Mississippi / To Sunday morning Gospel / It's all good, it's the art of blue."

J'ai's tribute to Carmen McRae, "Carmen's Blues," begins with Nedra Wheeler's big walking bass line, continues with the vocalist and bassist "conversing," and then allows time for each member of the rhythm trio to stretch out in honor of the late singer who we all miss dearly. The Billie Holiday and Mal Waldron ballad "Left Alone" finds singer and trumpeter Brashear expressing tenderly, "Stop The Word" combines the music of several familiar blues tunes with poetry that drives home a message about the negative aspects of television with respect to violence in society, and "Willow Weep for Me" finds both pianist Morgan and Baby J'ai at their very best.

"Louisiana Stomp" rolls out the rhythm carpet for a New Orleans shuffle with horns, rollicking piano, and even a washboard; the lyrics mention Ray Charles, Dr. John, and Professor Longhair, as pianist Wayne Peet provides authenticity. This debut recording should be available in stores; information can be obtained from Collin Artists, P.O. Box 10782, Beverly Hills, California 90213 (213) 660-1016.

Track Listing

There Was a Time; Soldiers of Love; Carmen's Blues; Left Alone; Stop the Word; Neighbor, Neighbor; Hop on the Pony; Willow Weep for Me; I Don't Want the Neighbors to Know; Louisiana Stomp; Don't Touch Me; The Art of Blue.

Personnel

Album information

Title: The Art Of Blue | Year Released: 1997 | Record Label: Sunset Music

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.