"A founding member of the vocal quartet Manhattan Transfer and now an established solo artist as well, Janis Siegel steps out as a leader on the Telarc label for a second time with a program that couldn't be more different from her last effort. On Friday Night Special she leads an organ/tenor quartet through a set of obscure material. Hammond organist Joey De Francesco provides powerful support throughout, but is tastefully self-effacing in his playing; tenor saxophonist Houston Person, drummer Buddy Williams, and alternating guitarists Peter Bernstein and Russell Malone round out the quartet. Siegel shines brightest on the slow ballads and the sultry torch numbers. she has proved all over again why she's one of America's favorite jazz singers. Recommended." (allmusic)
" Janis Siegel has done a fair amount of recording away from the Manhattan Transfer, but this a rare opportunity to hear her with other vocalists outside of it. JaLaLa, featured on four selections, includes Laurel Massé and Lauren Kinhan on vocals. The core group of musicians includes pianist Yaron Gershovsky, bassist David Finck, guitarist Frank Vignola, and drummer Matt Wilson, with guests added or substituted on some pieces. The songs selected from Johnny Mercer's vast output include both still-popular standards and obscurities, with the supporting cast varying from one track to the next. All three vocalists join forces for a fun-filled romp through "Ac-Cent-U-Ate the Positive" and the neglected "Spring Spring Spring," both of which add pedal steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar. Siegel handles both "Jeepers Creepers" and "Too Marvelous for Words" effortlessly. Kinhan shines in the breezy bossa nova setting of "My Shining Hour," while Massé delivers a warm "Moon River"." (Allmusic)
"Her vibrant tone and spot-on technique place Janis Siegel among the elite in contemporary jazz song. Each performance demonstrates her superior vocal acrobatics. This collection of Broadway favorites includes glimpses from Annie Get Your Gun, The King and I, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, Mame, and several others. Siegel interprets each with authority. Her heartfelt anguish over a piece from St. Louis Woman issues forth decisively. There’s little left unspoken. She reminds us, with charming demeanor, of the song’s place in history. The selections that Siegel has chosen for this project each have their significant place in our lives. ”Make Someone Happy” floats its message on wings bolstered by Stefon Harris and Gil Goldstein. Along with bass and drums, the two artists supply a lush harmonic foundation for this lovely dedication. Siegel gives it her all." (allaboutjazz.com)
"Vocalist Janis Siegel is the mezzo-soprano/alto quarter of the Manhattan Transfer and a wholesale master of jazz vocals subgenre: ballads, scats, bop, she competently does them all. Nightsongs endeavors a theme of breezy Caribbean evenings, comfortably humid and crepuscular. Sonically, this is an exceptional hearing. The engineer is impeccable, and the production is top notch without being overdone. There is a comfortable balance between the shiny and organic in this music. "Love Saves," "Slow," and "Marie" smell like salt and spray in the islands. "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing" is given a measure of funk among other piquant Latin delights, John di Martino modulates time and space over Christian McBride's muscular electric bass. Siegel shares a duet with Peter Eldridge on Jobim's "If You Never Come To Me" that is as provocative as it is simply elegant. Siegel continues to inhabit an upper echelon of jazz vocalist few can aspire to. Siegel wins with this fine band and material." (allaboutjazz.com)
Janis Siegel was in de jaren 70 bekend als een van de stemmen van Manhattan Transfer. Daarna volgde een periode waarin zij soliste acteerde. "The ninth solo album by Janis Siegel is something that you almost certainly never saw coming: a collection of modern pop songs arranged in an assortment of Latin styles. Gimmicky? Willfully bizarre? Amazingly enough, it's neither. Siegel's strong, supple voice and her consummate taste allow her to bring something new and often subtly complex to every song, without indulging in unnecessary weirdness. Strongly recommended to jazz and pop fans alike. (Allmusic)
"Lewis Michael Soloff (February 20, 1944 – March 8, 2015)[2] was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and actor. He worked with Blood, Sweat & Tears from 1968 until 1973. Prior to this he worked with Machito, Tony Scott, Maynard Ferguson, and Tito Puente. In the 1980s, he was a member of Members Only, a jazz ensemble who recorded for Muse Records. Soloff was a regular member and sub-leader of Gil Evans' Monday Night Orchestra, started from 1983, and trained his ability as band leader. His debut album recording was supported by Gil. He was among a handful of trumpeters capable of playing demanding lead trumpet parts while also contributing improvisational solos and of playing baroque, classical, and later orchestral and chamber music styles, which made him an in-demand session player for commercials and soundtracks." (wikipedia)
6de Solo-album van Manhattan Transfer-zangeres, muzikale geleid door pianist Cedar Walton. Sommige tracks zijn wat overgeproduceerd, ondanks mooi spel van o.a. Tom Harrell (t). Mooist is het bitterzoete duet met Walton: 'Guess Who I Saw..'.
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