Search - Joan Bender :: Star Eyes

It's been said "You can't judge a book by its cover," but in the case of the album "Star Eyes," you can judge the music on this CD by its cover. Joan Bender is beautiful, and it is safe to say her jazz vocals on this album are even more so. Like a brea th of fresh air into the jazz scene, this double-album of 16 songs (on 15 tracks) contains a variety of jazz standards, bossa n ova tunes and originals that display Ms. Bender's unusual amount of vocal versatility. First on the list is her spectacular sc atting, reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald and Anita O'Day on the Cole Porter standard "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." Secondly are h er delightful interpretations of Brazilian bossa nova classics such as "Summer Samba" and "My Little Boat" that are in the clas s of the great Brazilian vocalist Astrud Gilberto (of "Girl from Ipanema" fame). Third is the cool jazz phrasing she evokes on "Time After Time" with inflections similar to Chet Baker and Blossom Dearie. Fourth, and most impressive, is her sense of swi ng on t he tracks of "Cherokee," "Lullaby of Birdland" and "Bird Alone" that many die hard jazz fans into Sarah Vaughan and Abbey Linco ln will savor. The influence of legendary singers on Ms. Bender is apparent, and she adds layers of feeling and her own style into the mix. Perhaps Ms. Bender has more than "Star Eyes." Perhaps she just might be the definition of a star.