Since her captivating debut in 2009, jazz vocalist Sylvia Brooks has displayed a gift for inhabiting different personas, with a subspecialty in film-noir inspired femmes fatale. On this – Signature (Rhombus Records) – her fourth album, she embraces the most challenging role of all, defining herself with a set of beautifully crafted original songs. Her evocative lyrics and emotionally direct delivery imbue the music with hard-won authenticity. Whether looking back with wry affection on her walk-on-the-wild-side youth or lamenting a lost love, Brooks brings bracing honesty and poise to the material.
Five Ways to Help Your Kids Learn Jazz, Learning and Appreciate It
It can be rewarding to introduce children to jazz learning and encourage creativity and a love of music. Although jazz is steeped in its history and possesses an innovative improvisational style, it can be an exciting genre to children if shown in the right way. But...