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Nancy Harms: In the Indigo
ByIf the recording could be summarized in a few words, then the general sound would have to be described as cool and confident. Singing is something that Harms is good at, approaching each song like a skilled scientist who knows how to dissect it and build something better. She doesn't scream when singing and doesn't try to reinvent Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, or Ella Fitzgerald; she has her own voice and that's good enough.
On the disc's opening number, "Bye Bye Blackbird," Harms and the musicians sound as if their meeting was one of "love at first sight." Neither tries to one up the otherthe bass makes the first introduction, opening the song and laying the foundation for its structure. Harms joins in, sounding as though there's no place else she'd rather be. Her voice is so inviting that before long, the trumpet, piano, and drums make their presence known as they all come together and soar.
The relationship between Harms and the band strengthens from minute to minute and song to song, ending as beautifully as it began. With her best work shining through in the disc's title track, "In the Indigo" as well as "Cry Me A River," "Great Indoors," "Surprised By the Morning," and "Blue Skies," the singer has made it known that she's one to watch. With better known vocalists like Diana Krall, Gretchen Parlato, and Norah Jones at the forefront of the contemporary jazz vocalist movement, Harms will be in good company on her rise to the top.
Track Listing
Bye Bye Blackbird; I Wished on the Moon; Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise; In the Indigo; On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever); Cry Me a River; Great Indoors; Surprised by the Morning; I'm Pulling Through; Blue Skies; Reach for Tomorrow.
Personnel
Nancy Harms
vocalsTanner Taylor: piano, Hammond B3; Graydon Peterson: bass; Jay Epstein: drums (1-3, 5, 7-10); Kelly Rossum: trumpet (1, 2, 5, 8); Robert Bell: guitar (4, 7); Chico Chavez: cajon (4); Spencer McGinnis: drums (6).
Album information
Title: In the Indigo | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Self Produced