Album Review: Simply 'S Wonderful-The Magic of Gershwin from Juliet Ewing

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Album:  Simply ‘S Wonderful-The Magic of Gershwin
Artist:  Juliet Ewing
Label:  HoneyDiva Music/Lexicon Classics
Website: www.julietewing.com
INSTAGRAM @thejulietset
Facebook #thejulietset


Juliet Ewing, a former Broadway theater performer, reveals her affinity for swing jazz in her 2025 release Simply 'S Wonderful, a collection of standard favorites written by George and Ira Gershwin.  From the sashaying samba beats of "Oh, Lady Be Good" to the sauntering stride of "But Not For Me" and the thoughtful mood of "The Man I Love," Ewing reminds audiences what makes the Gershwin tunes relatable to the human spirit and heart.
 
Her elongation of poignant notes along "The Man I Love" keeps the listener on tenterhooks, solicited to share in the hopeful aspirations expressed in the lyrics. "A Foggy Day" ensconces Ewing's upbeat vocals in a swinging rhythm while the candlelight ambience of "The Lorelei" kindles a ragtime rhapsody swagger bolstered by the frolicking doodles of Firth's traipsing keys.  Elegant and statuesque, Ewing's vocals are pristine and theatrical, treating each melody as though it is a fine treasure, infusing meaningful vocal inflections to bring out the emotion incited by the lyrics.
 
A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, Ewing earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater and pursued her craft in New York City.  She worked in the musical theater community and joined several tours that took her around the world.  Her connection to the Gershwin's music emerged after performing a leading role in their hit musi­cal Crazy for You.   Spurred by her experiences in singing and performing the Gershwin brother’s music, she developed and performed her solo show Rise Up Singing-The Music of George Gersh­win to sold out audiences in New York City. 
 
The next step became her all-Gershwin album Simply ‘S Wonderful-The Magic of Gershwin.  Her voice resonates passion and refinement, reminding audiences of old-school swing delivered with a contemporary perspective.
 
Musicians:
Juliet Ewing - vocals
Ron Drotos - piano
Tedd Firth - producer, arranger, and piano on "The Man I Love" and "The Lorelei"
David Finck - bass
Mark McLean - drums

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