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Angela DeNiro: Swingin' with Legends 2

By Pierre Giroux
December 10, 2023
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Vocalist

Angela DeNiro

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Angela DeNiro sings with blue-ribbon vocal abilities. This is evident in her release Swingin' With Legends 2 . Accompanied by the

Ron Aprea

arranger

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Aprea Big Band, supplemented by special guests

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker,

Ken Peplowski

woodwinds
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Peplowski and

" data-original-title="" title="">Lew Tabackin, she sails through fourteen love songs written by some of the greatest composers of the American Songbook, providing a deep understanding and command of the material she performs.

The album opens with "New York City Blues," a not frequently heard composition by

Quincy Jones

arranger
1933 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Quincy Jones and

Peggy Lee

vocals
1920 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Peggy Lee. The initial tranquil run-through of the melody is simply a precursor to an all-out full-throttle vocal interpretation buoyed by the brassy big band. Trumpeter

Bryan Davis

piano
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Bryan Davis shows he is all in with some stratospheric notes.

Continuing her musical exploration where interpretation and expression play a significant role, DeNiro embarks on two love-themed numbers: "Easy To Love" and "Hello Young Lovers." The former opens with a soulful clarinet solo from Ken Peplowski before the band roars in to allow DeNiro to ride along before she scats into the chorus transcribed from

Rob McConnell

trombone
1935 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob McConnell's Boss Brass version of the number. On the latter number, the delicate opening comes from trumpeter Randy Brecker before the band dives into a hard-swinging romp, with DeNiro executing the song with flair.

Throughout the recording, DeNiro realizes each number with a lively and rhythmic quality to her singing. So whether it is "It Might as Well Be Spring" that has a

Lew Tabackin

saxophone, tenor
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Lew Tabackin tenor sax opening or "Don'cha Go Way Mad" or "That Old Black Magic" ( hello Billy Daniels), those previously noted qualities enhance the authenticity and vibrancy of these performances. The memorable jazz standard "On Green Dolphin Street" rips with a swinging chart from Aprea, including a speedy overdubbed scatting section from DeNiro.

Todd Bashore

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Todd Bashore chips in with sparkling alto sax solo.

The closing track is "A Curtain Falls," which is a sensitive ballad that the inimitable

Bobby Darin

vocals
1936 - 1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Darin used to sing. DeNiro offers her brief take on the number, which she delivers passionately, enhancing her emotional connection to the rendition. All in all, an enjoyable and musically satisfying experience.

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Track Listing

New York City Blues: You'd Be So Easy to Love: Hello Young Lovers; A House Is Not a Home; Willow Weep for Me; It Might As Well Be Spring; Don't Cha Go Away Mad; Two for the Road; That Old Black Magic; Come In From the Rain; On Green Dolphin Street; My One and Only Love; For Phil; The Curtain Falls.

Personnel

Angela DeNiro

vocals

Ron Aprea

arranger

Todd Bashore

saxophone, alto

Elijah Schiffer

saxophone, alto

Nathan Childers

saxophone

Lee Greene

saxophone, tenor

Doug Dehays

saxophone, baritone

Bryan Davis

piano

Chris Persad

trumpet

Matthew Timm

trumpet

Shawn Edmonds

trumpet

Wayne Goodman

trombone

Matt Haviland

trombone

Brandon Moodie

trombone

Dale Turk

trombone

Cecilia Coleman

keyboards

Tim Givens

bass

Jonathan Mele

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Todd Bashore: flute; Elijah Schiffer: flute; Nathan Childers: flute, clarinet; Lee Greene: flute clarinet; Doug Dehays: clarinet, bass clarinet; Guest Artists: Lew Tabackin: tenor saxophone, flute (6, 9); Ken Peplowski.: clarinet (2); Randy Brecker: trumpet (3).

Album information

Title: Swingin' with Legends 2 | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Early Autumn Productions

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