| "New York-based singer Joan Bender
has gained some attention in the jazz press in two areas.
She has helped lead picket lines against the Lincoln Center
Jazz Orchestra's policy of rarely ever hiring female musicians.
And her debut album has ten rather provocative photos
of the young singer, perhaps her way of beating Diana
Krall and Jane Monheit at their own game.
More important is the fact that she is a fine jazz singer...Bender
has no difficulty adding her own personality to such songs
as "My Heart Belongs To Daddy," "Cherokee,"
"O Barquinho," "Lullaby Of Birdland"
and Abbey Lincoln's "Bird Alone." There are
times when Joan Bender's singing would benefit from a
bit more subtlety and perhaps a little less shouting;
that minor flaw is possibly due to an excess of youthful
energy! But overall this is an impressive and swinging
debut, making one look forward to her future musical evolution.
(available from her website www.joanbender.com)" |
