jazz2love

Sports commentator Sage Steele opined, "You do you, and I'll do me" in a 2025 podcast hosted by Roseanne Barr. A motto that rings true for song stylist Jonathan Karrant.  Like many vocalists before him including Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Feinstein, Tony Bennett, and Michael Bublé, Jonathan Karrant sings songs from the Great American Songbook but he does not mimic his predecessors by any stretch of the imagination.  He imprints his own personal touch on the tunes, reeling in listeners and singling himself out from the wide field of song interpreters. Born in the heart of America at the foothills of the Ozarks in the old western town of Fort Smith, Arkansas, east of the Arkansas River, Jonathan Karrant prides himself on his down-to-earth American roots while also being influenced by his artistic mother, Nancy, who danced and taught for a local ballet company.  She discovered Jonathan's talent for singing at an early age and encouraged him to pursue the discipline. His...

Album Review:  Songs in the Key of Wonder from James Austin, Jr. Label:  JCA Records Website:  www.jamesaustinjr.com Embarking on the journey to rework Steve Wonder's catalog of pop songs, pianist James Austin, Jr. interprets the tunes as pure instrumentals, drawing out influences of big band, Latin swing, classical music, and smooth jazz.  His CD Songs in the Key of Wonder reverberates  a nightingale-imbued iridescence as his keys inscribe a lyrical versing throughout the tracks.    The percussive beats lining "Another Star" exude a Latin shimmer as Austin's keys swirl around them with infectious exuberance.  Austin's interpretation is steep in Latin swing with horns that blaze smooth jazz shades reminiscent of soothing nocturnes.   The sensuous swivels of the horns strewn along "You've Got It Bad Girl" recede to give the piano solo the forefront as Austin's keys punctuate the track with beaming ripples.  The romantic mood fam...