Voices Of Concord Jazz
Live at Montreux
Concord Records and DVD

Concord records got it right. Signing up some of the worlds best singers, they brought them all together under one large tent, and displayed their talents at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Using half of the show to display some of the singers in front of the small group WDR (with guest appearance by Tom Scott), and others with the WDR Big Band (Directed by Tom Scott),all singers are able to clearly display their unique styles and contributions in their favorite environment.

Teen star Pete Cincotti charmingly croons through his hit "I changed the rules", and stretches out on the piano on the seductive "Sway". Karrin Allyson rasps though "Moanin", and floats through the samba classic "Little Boat". Monica Mancini is vocally stunning on "Charade", and is a perfect foil for the swagger of Curtis Stigers during a lovely toe-tapping version of "Dreamsville". Dianne Schurr is raucus during her blues/swing set; her duet "Stay Away From Bill", (with Allyson), almost steals the show, until Stigers grabs it right back with his Louis Jordan influenced "Swingin' Down" , and "How Could a Man take such a fall?" NNenna Freelon is in top vocal form in a rare opportunity to hear her with a big band pushing her along. Patti Austin closes the show with a respectable tribute to Ella, as she delves into her songbook with tasteful big band renditions of songs by the "First Lady".

As good as this music is on cd, it is even more fun to see on DVD. Concotti's boyish charms glistens as he sings;Allyson swings and sways as she actually becomes part of the music. She comes across as the girl-next door Betty as opposed to Monica Mancini's Veronica, who appears like a regal Queen of Middle Earth. Dressed with Sartorial splendor in a fire engine red suit, Stigers has a swagger reminiscent of Eddie Haskell, as he mixes his world weary vocals with bluesy sax accompaniment. Freelon's charm and grace radiates out thorugh the screen; her joy of singing is infectious. Who says that jazz is not a visual music?

-George W. Harris