Jacintha

Jacintha - Here's To Ben - 1998 - Groove Note

The title of this collection refers to the late saxophonist Ben Webster. Jacintha Abisheganaden has an absolutely ravishing voice that's enough to make you melt and seep away. Listen to her astonishing vocal interpretations of "Georgia on My Mind," and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". The great musicians here are real jazz veterans, including saxophonist, Teddy Edwards, who recorded with Billie Holiday in the '50s. There's also pianist Kei Akagi, trumpeter Larance Marable, and bassist Derek Oles, who have all played with some of the greatest jazz musicians of our time. This great album has been released on LP, normal CD and gold CD. Sequence of tracks vary from album to album, and on this CD issue, track 10, "The Look Of Love" is not included. If anybody has any info on Jacintha's release with this track, please post. Also check out her superb album, "Autumn Leaves: The Songs Of Johnny Mercer". An exceptionally talented jazz vocalist. VHR by A.O.O.F.C

TRACKS

1. Georgia on My Mind (Carmichael/Gorrell)
2. Our Love Is Here to Stay (Gershwin/Gershwin)
3. Tenderly (Gross/Lawrence)
4. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Arlen/Harburg)
5. How Long Has This Been Going On(Gershwin/Gershwin)
6.Stardust (Carmichael/Parish)
7. In the Wee Small Hours of Morning (Hilliard/Mann)
8. Pennies from Heaven (Burke/Johnston)
9. Danny Boy (Weatherly)
10. The Look of Love (Bacharach/David) - NOT INCLUDED ON THIS RELEASE

REVIEW

"Here's To Ben" captures the essence of jazz vocals by Jacintha. She sings each song with a pure, jazzy feel that is one of a special kind. This 9 selection collection showcases the talents of Jacintha. Songs include "Georgia On My Mind," "Our Love Is Here To Stay," "Tenderly," "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," "How Long Has This Been Going On?," "Stardust," "In The Wee Small Hours of Morning," "Pennies From Heaven," and "Danny Boy." Each song is a vocal beauty, very expressive, sensitive, and lovely to listen to. Two songs that are perfect reflections of a jazz singer at her best moments can be found with Jacintha singing "In The Wee Small Hours of Morning" and "Danny Boy." If you like female jazz vocalists and the song "Danny Boy," this is one of the finest recordings ever done! This collection delights, entertains, and is enjoyable from start to finish. Jacintha has one of the very finest jazz voices in contemporary jazz. Topnotch performances! Excellent solo work. Teddy Edwars shines on tenor saxophone, and each performer is incredibly good.
© Lee Prosser - jazzreview.com



Jacintha Abisheganaden
BIO (Wikipedia)

Born to Alexander Abisheganaden, an Singaporean Indian educator of Malayali and Tamil descent, and a Chinese mother, both of her parents had musical backgrounds. She grew up to win a singing talent competition, Talentime, with her trio, Vintage. She graduated with honours in English literature from the National University of Singapore. She was one of the founders of the TheatreWorks theatre group, and has worked with director Ong Keng Sen in acclaimed plays such as Beauty World, Three Fat Virgins, Longing and The Lady of Soul. To date she has released thirteen albums. She began a series of jazz recordings in 1999, and has released six acclaimed audiophile albums. Her latest album "Jacintha goes to Hollywood" was released by Groovenote in USA in July 2007. Her music has been featured in the movie "Play it to the bone" with Antonio Banderas and Woody Harrelson and in the Jennifer Garner TV Series "Alias". Jacintha performed live for the opening of the 117th IOC Session held in Singapore in 2005 to a worldwide audience over 200 million. She has also acted in local television drama The Price of Peace, a period drama documenting the days of World War II.