By: Harriet Goldsmith, Senior Editor
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be standards changes over time. Songs included in major fake book publications (sheet music collections of popular tunes) and jazz reference works offer a rough guide to which songs are considered standards.
Not all jazz standards were written by jazz composers. Many are originally Tin Pan Alley popular songs, Broadway show tunes or songs from Hollywood musicals – the so-called “Great American Songbook.” A commonly played song can only be considered a jazz standard if it is widely played among jazz musicians. The jazz standard repertoire has some overlap with blues and pop standards.
So the introduction of jazz standards vocalist Lisa Maxwell, who seems to have had a 30 year love affair with jazz. The wife of famed composer and arranger, pianist George Newell - together the two have chosen to create a recording that focuses on songs that speak directly to their close knit loving collaboration Return to Jazz Standards.
Lisa’s voice is very endearing; a non-affected delivery gives the listener a pleasing experience. Husband George Newell provides all the instrumentation except for guest artist John Alfred on trombone. All equally contribute to the beautiful fabric of the release. A traditional take on the swinging classic “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” is a perfect way to open a CD, one of my all time favorite jazz CDs by Cheryl Bentene adopts this same approach. Maxwell and Newell complement each other quite well; Newell creates a perfect pad for Maxwell to sell the listener on the lyric.
“Lazy Afternoon,” a classic standard that seems to be getting a lot more focus lately, is given a string treatment by Newell creating a dreamy mood for Maxwell to easily maneuver. A truly stellar rendition, this is the track Maxwell really shines on. Her matter of fact delivery is quite effective and transcends the listener to a late night supper club where Maxwell is front and center and the spotlight is firmly fixed on her.
