Lovesome thing : Anaïs Reno sings Ellington & Strayhorn

"Anaïs Reno professes that her main influences have definitely been "more dead singers than living singers," and she credits Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Hartman and Carmen McRae for her inspiration. Anaïs Reno has gotten past any self-consciousness she had as a child into the "old stuff," and she makes no apologies for loving classic jazz. That's why I see this very talented, up-and-coming singer really going places. It's great to see young people invested in this material".

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"It's astonishing to think that Billy Strayhorn was just 16 when he began to write what was to become his signature tune, 'Lush Life' - a song whose chromaticism and large leaps make it one of the trickiest standards to sing. Recorded in 2020, when she was similarly aged 16, this debut album from Swiss-born, NYC-resident vocalist Anaïs Reno celebrating the music of Strayhorn and Duke Ellington offers a remarkable introduction to a singular talent".

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"What a voice Ms Reno possesses. Absolutely arresting, and "Mood Indigo" and "Daydream" are outstanding vehicles with which to display it. The entire recording leaves one in stunned disbelief. Emmet Cohen is a most congenial accompanist, as is Juliet Kurtzman, Anais' mother, whose violin solos are reminiscent of a certain Johnny Frigo. What an extraordinary debut recording for Ms Reno".

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