Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Julie Kelly: Freedom Jazz Dance

Julie Kelly: Freedom Jazz Dance

By Nicholas F. Mondello
March 24, 2024
View read count

Freedom Jazz Dance from Los Angeles singer,

Julie Kelly

vocals
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Julie Kelly offers an interesting array of selections that emanate from that musical road less traveled. And, as in life, sometimes that road yields nuggets of delight that would most likely never make it to the tried and "true way."

Peter Nero and Carroll Coates' "New York on Sunday" opens things and is a lilting snap on 2 and 4 groove with Kelly joyously covering it and

Josh Nelson

piano
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Josh Nelson slickly comping. Guitarist

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Koonse, Nelson and bassist

Luca Alemanno

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Luca Alemanno each offer tasty solos. "Take Me to the Alley," from the highly creative mind of

Gregory Porter

vocals
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregory Porter, is more a message than a swinger. It is a unique track that Kelly devours in its deeper intentions. Kelly, who spent some time in Brazil, sends up

João Donato

piano
1934 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Jo?o Donato's "A Ra (The Frog)," as a faster samba deftly singing it in Portuguese.

The song list here is as unique as is Kelly's fine vocal instrument, from jazz classics to pop to Brazilian treasures. Hers are darker and deeply resonant pipes rather than girly-lily pristine. That works quite well across the spectrum of this eclectic material. She has a fine rhythmic sense and deftly uses her instrument as an instrument on the varied content.

"Practical Arrangement," from Sting and Robert Mathes, is thoughtful and reflective and hands down a perfect track for Kelly's lyric and melodic approach. It's a brilliant production touch. "Freedom Jazz Dance" gets a harder, percussive take with Kelly stating

Jon Hendricks

vocals
1921 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Hendricks' lyrics. Reedman,

Danny Janklow

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Danny Janklow's solos hard over a frantic rhythm bed. "Early Morning Rain," is acoustic and story-sung with subtle "Wichita Lineman" folksy slide guitar overtones. "Nothing Like You," a straight-ahead burner, has Kelly ebulliently delivering a great take on the

Bob Dorough

vocals
1923 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Dorough tune. It's a standout and very hip track. "Funny How Time Slips Away"/"Hello Like Before" is another fine production touch via

Barbara Brighton

producer
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Barbara Brighton, Josh Nelson, and Lisa Kelly, mashing two diverse tunes in a light bossa take. Latin classic "Ponteio" closes the show with Kelly in Portuguese and all shimmering brightly.

Freedom Jazz Dance is a road worth taking as it certainly offers stimulating music from a terrific vocalist and her outstanding first-call L.A. team.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Sunday in New York; Take Me to the Alley; A Ra (The Frog); Practical Arrangement; Freedom Jazz Dance; River People; Early Morning Rain; A Otro Lado Del Rio; Nothing Like You; Funny How Time Slips Away/Hello Like Before; Ponteio.

Personnel

Julie Kelly

vocals

Josh Nelson

piano

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

Luca Alemanno

bass

Dan Schnelle

drums

Aaron Serfaty

percussion

Danny Janklow

saxophone

Additional Instrumentation

Julie Kelly: guitar (7); Josh Nelson: keyboard; Danny Janklow: flute; Andrew Synowiec: guitar (7)

Album information

Title: Freedom Jazz Dance | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Laurelwood Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

1976 Brand X, Gong, Weather Report, ...
< Previous

Curtis Taylor, Logan Richardson, Ste...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.