FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!
NEWEST!
"Shopping for Your Heart" has made the first ballot for the 2008 GRAMMY Awards. Categories include Best Vocal Jazz Album and Best Arrangement of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”.
This is the second time Jeff has received this industry recognition, his 2005 release, “Monologue” was also listed in the first round for the 2006 GRAMMY Awards.
NEWER! SHOPPING FOR YOUR HEART REVIEWS
“Four Stars" All Music Guide
Shopping For Your Heart
Jeff Baker
Review 6-5-07 by Ken Dryden
Jazz vocalist Jeff Baker’s third CD for OA2 is a perfect example of a
confident young singer willing to explore music from many different genres so long as the tunes are promising. Backed by a great band that includes saxophonist Brent Jensen, pianist Bill Anschell and drummer John Bishop (all of whom were present on his second release for the label), plus bassist Jeff Johnson, Baker is never predictable in his approach to any song and generously features his musicians (particularly Anschell and Jensen) at length. His dreamy setting of the standard “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” is matched by the well-crafted arrangement of Carole King’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” that transforms this 1960’s pop song into true jazz material. Baker is also a master singing vocalese to Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce” or scatting to Miles Davis’ “All Blues” with authority. Recommended.
Albums of the Week - Reviews
IT’S A JAZZ THING
Weekending Sunday 15th July 2007
Jeff Baker - Shopping For Your Heart (2007 O2A Records)
Good jazz vocalists are a rare breed. Many try and fail. Some fail horribly. Bad phrasing, bum notes and poor choice of songs litter some vocal jazz releases.
Not so this fabulous release from Jeff Baker. Baker is a new name to me and I am very glad that I have made his acquaintance. The cd has been on high rotation on my player at home, my radio shows and will soon be on George Jazz.
Jeff is out of Seattle and I believe this is his third recording to date, all of them released on the O2A record label. His voice is rich and strong, he takes on all tunes with confidence and a gives a new feel to some jazz standards that, as I mentioned above, can be ruined by bad vocalists. Baker covers “Stolen Moments” using Mark Murphy’s lyrics and does a great job. Other tunes include jazz standards by Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Irvin Berlin and covers of James Taylor and Carol King songs.
Baker is backed by O2A and Origin Records musicians who offer outstanding accompaniment.
*The 48th GRAMMY enrty list has just been released and Jeff's latest album "Monologue" is listed in the following categories: Best Jazz Vocal Album, Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist (Jeff Baker and Bill Anschell), and Best Engineered Non-classical Recording(Reed Ruddy)!!!*
NEW!!! MONOLOGUE REVIEWS
ALLABOUTJAZZ.COM
Monologue Jeff Baker | OA2 Records
Reviewed by Dan McClenaghan
Vocalist Jeff Baker, who'd just earned a degree in Music Education, took a risk and put the money he'd saved for grad school into making a CD. That was last year's Baker Sings Chet Baker (OA2 Records). Baker's good debut didn't rise to the level of top-notch excellence of his second outing, Monologue, sophomore jinx be damned.
A good deal of the credit for the step up into the upper class of male vocalists lies with pianist Bill Anschell, Nnenna Freelon's former musical director. His arrangements here, as well as his playing, just glow, with a light touch at times and a hard-driving forward momentum at others, a sound crafted to perfectly suit Baker's silky delivery, a vocal cross between Nat King Cole and Chet Baker, with his own personal, confident panache.
The standard "A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square" here may be the loveliest rendition of the song on record, Anschell and band involved with the vocalist in a lilting dance before Brent Jensen's sweet-toned alto croons into a solo. Another time-tested standard, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," picks up the pace; Anschell's fingertip dance down the keyboard at the end of the smooth flow of Baker's phrase "..and then I met you" is just sublime, as are a hundred other moments.
Two tunes here, "Answer Me" and Tracy Chapman's "The Promise," feature David Sabee on cello, with Anschell's arrangement a less jazzy but beautifully-crafted chamber mood, suffused with reverence, like something that could be played in church, in the muted light of soft colors beaming in through windows of stained glass.
Baker's vocal style throughout has a straighforward self-assurance and a smooth flow, in contrast to a hint of the tentative on hs debut disc. He goes after some familiar standards and some of the rarer ones without pretense or affectation, and he does it beautifully, in the embrace of a marvelous band.
JAZZREVIEW.COM and EJAZZNEWS.COM
CD Reviews: Jeff Baker "Monologue"
Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 05:00 AM
By Karl Stober
As the song states "A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square", and should continue to do so, in every square, studio and venue, this young man can find an open mic. Jeff Baker just reincarnates standards, bringing a new appeal to them. This young talent is just a pure pleasure to experience, take the time to do so as well.
Mr. Baker's second project released by OA2 Records is a dynamic and refreshing recording that offers not only the vocal spirit, but also a sharp and precise arrangement of sound. Included in "Monologue" are the keys of Bill Anschell, Doug Miller seducing the bass, and Brent Jensen polishing off the brass with his sax expertise. Also in studio are John Bishop with the sticks, and David Sabee and his cello. Collectively, these gifted musicians will add a stunning piece of jazz to your collection.
Mr. Baker is a risk taker, not only with his confidence by financing his own debut recording, but also in his selection of cuts. From cuts with less notoriety, to off the path songs from artists like Tracy Chapman, the kid has a fever pitch drive that roars out of the studio without brakes.
'The More I See You" is a stimulating piece with a strong presence of the keys handed out by Anschell. Note the smooth segue of Jensen with his sax as Anschell reintroduces the keys, very smooth instrumental spot.
"Best of" goes to the standard "A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square", the smoothest effort of this classic one has been subjected to - outstanding range and technique, just the way this cut should be sang. This is no alto aberration. This is pure untarnished talent! Note the mix and bonding of sound accompanying the vocal; it all makes good sense
From all accounts, this charismatic crooner needs to be tracked closely. Mr. Baker has the potential to skyrocket to many accolade-coated triumphs.
CD QUOTES FOR "BAKER SINGS CHET" and "MONOLOGUE"
" [4 Stars] "
-All Music Guide
"...a strong future contender..."
- JazzTimes, April 2004
"Jeff Baker is an important emerging new talent."
-AllAboutJazz.com
"Jeff Baker is a highly promising young vocalist whose performances are infused with energy and informed by a sharp awareness of jazz history. He is one of a handful of young singers whose career should be carefully tracked. He knows how to swing with style, and performs standards with a refreshing sense of conviction."
-Norman Weinstein, ASCAP-Deems Taylor award winning jazz critic, author of A NIGHT IN TUNISIA: IMAGININGS OF AFRICA IN JAZZ.
"Jeff Baker is one the best male vocalists in the Jazz world today. He's smooth, polished and a true jazz singer."
- Renee Williams, Music Director-WCLK, Atlanta, GA
"Chet Baker was the epitome of cool and Jeff pays respect to Mr. Baker by taking cool to a new plateau!"
- Jim Stone, Big Band Swing-WLNZ 89.7 FM
"Jeff Baker. He sings and he swings on this wonderful interpretation of the songs of Chet Baker. The right singer, the right musicians. It's a winner"
- "Melodious" Mel Lipton WDNA-Miami
"All signs point to Jeff Baker being a welcome new force in jazz vocals that should be enjoyed over and over again."
-Tom Macek, WRRG-Chicago
"Jeff's subtle voice blends smoothly with every single chord of the instruments. A voice with conviction that is here to stay! All tracks are excellent. The "Baker Sings Chet" CD is highly recommended to audiences worldwide."
- Ricardo Perez, KSFR - Santa Fe
"...haunting, smooth, and provocative vocal treatment."
"...infectious persona, energy, and talent."
"...a fresh sound in vocal jazz."
- Jeff Fox, Producer and host for JazzWorks, NPR
