(Vocal Jazz) Janice Anderson - The Sweetest Sounds - 2013, MP3, 320

Think Ella rafting down a dizzy scat riff, Doris Day crooning praises for the joy of the everyday, Astrud Gilberto whispering crooked tones through the wet Brazilian summer and you’ll have a sense of Janice Anderson, the singer. Like most musicians, the muse was with Janice since childhood, a time which she spent singing, dancing and hoarding rare recordings of the greats when others were listening to the latest, now forgotten, pop offerings of the minute.
A dedicated artist, she is in turn dedicated to the art of others which led her to found Jazz Vespers in Santa Monica in 2003, now a lauded event in the L.A. jazz scene. Through Jazz Vespers, Anderson has hosted such notables as: Alan Broadbent, Alan Pasqua, Bill Cunliffe, Larry Goldings, John Campbell, Sam Most, Denise Donatelli, Barbara Morrison, John Proulx, Kendall Kay, Dan Barrett, Christian Jacob, Sara Leib, Kathleen Grace, Larry Koonse, Darek Oles, Anthony Wilson, Bob Sheppard, Janis Mann . . . as well as fostering young and lesser known talents.
In 2012 she founded the first bi-annual Santa Monica Jubilee Jazz Festival featuring: The Gonzalo Bergara Quartet, Bill Cunliffe with Imaginacion, The Christian Jacob Trio, The Susie Hansen Latin Band and the Mark Tortorici Swing Band.
Anderson has performed with such jazz notables as pianist/composer Clare Fischer, Saxophonist Bob Sheppard, Pianist John Campbell, pianist Chris Dawson, Guitarist Larry Koonse, Guitarist Anthony Wilson, drummer Joe LeBarbera, bassist Putter Smith. . . and has performed in venues as diverse asthe Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Resort at Pelican Hill – Newport Beach, The World Ship, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Pasadena Playboy Jazz Festival, the legendary Hermosa Beach Lighthouse. She lends her voice to the fundraising efforts of KCRW and other charities.
Janice has also studied with notable vocalists and vocal coaches, such as Cathy Segal Garcia and Tierney Sutton

Having worked with a lot of singers in my life, I certainly can be picky, and am especially aware that the singer that I love might not be to someone else’s taste. In fact, really intelligent and like minds can disagree intensely on what is great in singing (I’ve had my share of someone saying Oh, I really can’t stand Sinatra, when I think he’s the greatest singer who’s every walked the earth).
But let me start with some facts. The first one is that I love Janice Anderson’s singing, but, as I said, that’s something you have to decide for yourself. I’m a bit biased, in that I know her personally, and she’s as nice in person as on disc.
The next fact, is that she has picked a great bunch of tunes, some really neglected today. (Sounds Around the House, The Sweetest Sounds)
The ones that are more familiar often have subtle, but enjoyable arrangements (the Buena Vista ish treatment of Softly as in a morning sunrise, the samba to swing treatment of Old Devil Moon, and the light string synth and brazilian piano on When I Fall in Love). The tunes are arranged without sounding arranged, if you know what I mean. It’s all a very natural and compelling experience.
Film composer Daniel May is a fine accompanist and strong soloist, as is his brother Ben, the bassist. Drummer Gary Gibbons supports and swings effortlessly.
The recording is natural, and airy, not much reverb or compression. This makes the recording very easy to listen to, either on a foreground or background level.
Although the vocal stylings are not radical or avant guard, I enjoy the stylings of her bel canto sound that occasionally launches into bluesy moods, and some endearing adlibs. Nothing is overdone, and much is gained from this. It always sounds fresh.
I can, as reviewers do, wax rhapsodically, (and truthfully!) about Janice’s lovely sound, perfect intonation, and emotional connectivity to the songs that she sings. But you’ll have to discover that for yourself. I think she’s wonderful.
- Bill Cunliffe, pianist, composer, arranger.

Janice Anderson - Vocals, Daniel May - Piano, Benjamin May - Bass, Gary Gibbons - Drums.