Easy to Love

by Roberta Gambarini

Overview

Roberta Gambarini was a virtual unknown outside of Europe before coming to the United States and dazzling both seasoned jazz musicians and critics alike. Under the wing of Benny Carter for several years prior to his death in 2003, the Italian singer with an expressive, clear, and consistently swinging vocal style has seen her reputation spread widely, culminating in this initial American release. Her delightful take on the standard "Easy to Love" includes a bit of soft scatting in tandem with Chuck Berghofer's bass. Her expressive interpretation of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" finds her scatting to each of the demanding solos from a recorded collaboration by Sonny Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Rollins, as well as adding some original vocalese to each of the solos. She is just as effective handling Bill Evans' bittersweet ballad "The Two Lonely People" and Billy Strayhorn's overlooked gem "Multi-Colored Blue." Tenor saxophonist James Moody is a special guest on "Lover Man" and the swinging "Centerpiece," on the latter playing in unison with Gambarini and engaging in a friendly, often hilarious scat duet with her as well. With this first-rate 2006 release, Roberta Gambarini makes a strong case for consideration as one of the most impressive jazz vocalists to arrive on the scene over the previous two decades; her attractive voice, impeccable taste, and skills as an arranger make her impossible to resist. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	10/14/2022
Label:	In & Out / In + Out Records
UPC:	0798747708418
Rank:	63372

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Roberta Gambarini   Primary Artist,Vocals
James Moody   Guest Artist
Chuck Berghofer   Bass
Gerald Clayton   Piano
John Clayton   Bass
Willie Jones III   Drums
Tamir Hendelman   Piano
Joe La Barbera   Drums
James Moody Sextet   Vocals,Sax (Tenor),Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Larry Clothier   Producer
Cole Porter   Composer
Roberta Gambarini   Arranger,Adaptation
Jacques Muyal   Executive Producer
Dizzy Gillespie   Arranger
Carol Hall   Composer
Doug Sax   Mastering
DuBose Heyward   Composer
Jon Hendricks   Composer
Billy Strayhorn   Arranger
Steve Genewick   Assistant
Bill Evans   Composer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Tamir Hendelman   Arranger
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Robert Hadley   Mastering
Al Schmitt   Mixing,Engineer
Ken Franckling   Liner Notes