I KNOW SHE’S WONDERFUL
OK, she’s a fellow native Los Angelino. Her grandfather played trumpet in the Kay Kyser band. She is breezy and fresh sounding like a Portuguese chanteuse in Rio, and evokes an earthy woodwind in an African-esque chant. And if that’s not magic enough, she got the one and only Gerald Clayton to record with her on her latest album, Flor, helping to completely reinvent Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love”. But what really captures my heart is the Brazilian themes threading through Gretchen Parlato’s intoxicating work. Versus other Brazilian albums with similar sounding tracks, this lovely album takes you on an adventure from the swaying beach to the deepest jungle rhythms, all the while singing to comfort us.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Flor
Gretchen Parlato
Edition Records | 9 tracks | March 5, 2021 | 47:23
available at Amazon
for more info, visit Gretchen Parlato
photo of Gretchen Parlato by Lauren Desberg