The very inviting jazz singer from Austria swings throughout her latest CD. Simone Kopmajer and her quintet (featuring Terry Myers on tenor) perform a mixture of vintage standards and colorful originals that sound as if they could have been from the 1940s and ‘50s. The internationally famous jazz singer Simone Kopmajer is heard at her best throughout her 13th album as a leader, Spotlight On Jazz. She performs six standards and seven of her originals on a set that covers many moods while consistently swinging. Ms. Kopmajer, who sings in awless English, is joined by tenor-saxophonist Terry Myers (the current leader of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra), guitarist Martin Spitzer, pianist Paul Urbanek, bassist Karl Sayer, and drummer Reinhardt Winkler for a spirited program lled with memorable singing, superior songs, and joyful spirits. From the start of the opening “Spotlights,” Simone Kopmajer’s voice is warm and inviting while expertly placing her notes for maximum swinging. Terry Myers’ playing on this piece is straight from Lester Young, clearly inspiring the singer. “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” (a tune associated with Louis Armstrong) is given a rare vocal version and has parade rhythms by Winkler that perfectly t the song. “Struttin’” and “Exactly Like You” have Myers switching effectively to clarinet with Ms. Kopmajer scatting a hornlike chorus on the latter. Other highlights of the infectious album include “Pennies From Heaven” (taken as a jazz waltz), a slower-than-usual rendition of “Poinciana” that retains the essence of Ahmad Jamal’s hit version, the wordless singing on “Dig That Riff” (a second remixed version is included as a bonus track), the warmth displayed by both singer and saxophonist on the ballad “A Gift From Buddy” and a relaxed “Stompin’ At The Savoy.” In addition to the rst-class singing and Myers’ tenor solos, there are many spots for pianist Urbanek and guitarist Spitzer to make their own complementary statements. Simone Kopmajer, who was born in Schladming, Austria, began singing when she was eight, had classical piano lessons, and spent time playing saxophone. When she was 12, she sang regularly with her father’s band and four years later was accepted into the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz where she earned a Masters degree. Simone had opportunities to study with Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, Michele Hendricks, Jay Clayton and the New York Voices. She has since not only performed regularly throughout Europe but has visited the United States regularly since 2000 and is quite popular in Japan and Southeast Asia. Her debut album Moonlight Serenade was recorded in 2003. Since then she has been featured on a dozen other recordings as a leader including Romance (which features tenor-saxophonist Eric Alexander), Taking A Chance On Love (with both Houston Person and Dick Oatts on saxophones), Live At Heidi’s Jazz Club, The Best In You, and Good Old Times. Throughout these programs, Simone Kopmajer uplifts vintage standards with her phrasing, beautiful voice and quiet enthusiasm, and adds to the legacy of straight ahead jazz by contributing worthy new songs. Simone Kopmajer - w naszej ofercie