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Juliet Varnedoe: Cajun Blue

By C. Michael Bailey
January 21, 2022
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Track review of "Mon Ch��ri"

New York based singer songwriter

Juliet Varnedoe

piano and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Juliet Varnedoe has a plan. She has developed a New Orleans themed recording, Cajun Blue, which is to be released later this year, a collection of eight original blues and jazz songs combining the disparate influences of

King Oliver

trumpet
1881 - 1938

" data-original-title="" title="">King Oliver Creole Band, the classical French chanson as realized by

Blossom Dearie

piano and vocals
1926 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Blossom Dearie and

Juliette Greco

vocals
1927 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Juliette Greco, with an alchemic shot of the cool scintillating vibe of Serge Gainsborough. In preparation for the delivery of Cajun Blue, Varnedoe is releasing several singles, the first, "Mon Ch��ri," presented here.

The singer fronts the Juliet Varnedoe Jazz Band, a quintet anchored with both a bass and traditional tuba, played by Ben Rubin and

Clark Gayton

trombone
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Clark Gayton, respectively.

Jon Dryden

accordion

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Dryden's accordion is added as the fil�� seasoning for the composition. What results is a sultry and humid performance, recalling a Romantic long-ago memory sung with seductive cleverness and mirth by Varnedoe. Dryden's accordion provides the potent smell of "the old country" (whichever it is, but Eastern Europe comes to mind). Gayton, who doubles on trombone, injects a musical conversation shared with the singer that is fully integrated and settled. "Mon Ch��ri" is a good start, one that begs for the further singles releases promise.

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Track Listing

Mon Ch��ri

Personnel

Juliet Varnedoe

piano and vocals

Jon Dryden

accordion

Konrad Meissner

drums

Ben Rubin

bass

Clark Gayton

trombone

Album information

Title: Cajun Blue | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced

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