The American jazz singer Vicki Burns specializes in romantic music from the last century, but is therefore not tied to the Great American Songbook. She grew up in Maine and decided to become a singer when she was six. She performed in school and in choirs, with her father being a major influence. Vicki, for example, started writing plays and musicals when she was eleven. Four years later, she was in a pop band and began taking classical singing lessons. Her father encouraged her to listen to Ella Fitzgerald and Vicki was instantly hooked. She attended the University of New Hampshire and became a singer in a professional big band while she was there. After her marriage she started a jazz band herself. But that ended in divorce, and Vicki moved first to New York City, then to California. There she attended the San Jose State graduate program for improvised music. It was only when she often went to a jazz club and was allowed to sing there that her career took off. She then moved to San Francisco Bay, where she soon performed in clubs and hotels. But the blood gets where it can't, and Vicki chose to return to Maine. That didn't last long, though, and she was soon back in NYC. On this new album she wanted to sketch the course of a love affair, from the early temptation to love and sadness to when it didn't work out. This in turn led to a broader view of love, life and happiness. This album contains 12 tracks, 3 of which are original compositions. She is joined by Art Hirahara (piano), Sam Bevan (bass), Billy Drummond (drums), Dayna Stephens (sax), Josh Deutsch (trumpet), Masaru Koga (flute) and Nick Vayenas (trombone). It is Vicki's third album, and opens with 'If You Never Fall In Love With Me/Del Sasser', a Latin swinger medley, supplemented by 'Del Sasser'. ‘Close Your Eyes’ is a cover of the classic, followed by the original’ Love Spell’. The title track is next in line, a somewhat wistful standard from Billy Strayhorn, followed by his 'Bittersweet'. 'Watch Out/ The Sidewinder' is a reworking and 'A Long Way To Go/ Equinox' you probably know from John Coltrane. With 'It's Over Now/ Well You Needn't' we end up in the final phase of the relationship, and here Carmen McCrae is paired with Thelonious Monk. 'You Don't Have To Believe' is again an original, followed by the swinging 'This Time The Dream's On Me'. 'Siren Song' is the third original track, after which the standard 'Out Of This World' heralds the end. A concept album, deeply rooted in bop, that will certainly appeal to jazz lovers!
		Website Vicki Burns Tracks: 1. Close Your Eyes 2. Love Spell 3. Lotus Blossom Days 4. Bittersweet 5. Watch Out/ The Sidewinder 6. A Long Way To Go/ Equinox 7. It's Over Now/ Well You Needn't 8. You Don't Have To Believe 9. This Time The Dream's On Me 10. Siren Song 11. Out Of This World