Barbara Paris

Barbara Paris, an appealing jazz singer from Denver, has grown in power and creativity through the years. On Nine Decades Of Jazz (available from www.barbarapariscom), she performs a wide variety of material that ranges from “Dark Town Strutters Ball” and a catchy version of “Knock Me A Kiss” to “Splanky,” “The Song Is Ended” and two of her originals including a tribute to the late pianist Joe Bonner (“Ode To Joe”). She swings throughout, scats when it fits, and puts heartfelt emotion into the ballads including “Summer of ‘42” and “I Wanna Be Loved.”

Joining her are pianist Billy Wallace, bassist Ken Walker and drummer Jill Fredrickson. If the name of Billy Wallace sounds slightly familiar, it may be because he was a member of the Max Roach Quintet (recording Jazz In 3/4 Time) in 1957, and recorded with Frank Strozier, Billy Mitchell and Bunky Green in the early 1960s. While he has been in obscurity for decades, the pianist sounds in top form throughout this set, creating boppish solos in his own infectious style and making one happy that he is still on the scene. Clearly Wallace and Ms. Paris inspire each other and the results are quite rewarding. This is the Barbara Paris CD to get.~

Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene