Acclaimed jazz vocalist, composer, and 2026 NEA Jazz Master Carmen Lundy delivers a deeply personal and musically rewarding collection with Notes From The Wine Cellar. The recording reflects her remarkable artistic versatility and more than four decades of creative exploration. Featuring ten original compositions, including a collaboration with composer Harry Whitaker, the album draws upon […]
Acclaimed jazz vocalist, composer, and 2026 NEA Jazz Master Carmen Lundy delivers a deeply personal and musically rewarding collection with Notes From The Wine Cellar. The recording reflects her remarkable artistic versatility and more than four decades of creative exploration. Featuring ten original compositions, including a collaboration with composer Harry Whitaker, the album draws upon jazz, soul, gospel, and R&B influences while exploring themes of love, spirituality, identity, family, and the human experience. Lundy’s rich, expressive vocals and thoughtful storytelling are complemented by her contributions on Fender Rhodes, acoustic guitar, flute, French horn, and percussion, along with her imaginative horn and string arrangements. Joining Lundy is an outstanding ensemble featuring Julius Rodriguez on piano and Hammond B3 organ, Jermaine Paul on acoustic and electric bass, Terreon Gully on drums and percussion, Andrew Renfroe on guitar, and Tatiana Tate on trumpet and flugelhorn. Co-produced by Lundy and Elisabeth Oei, the recording balances sophisticated arrangements with an organic musical warmth, allowing Lundy’s distinctive voice and compositions to remain at the forefront. The music moves comfortably between intimate, reflective passages and spirited, rhythmically engaging performances, demonstrating Lundy’s ability to embrace contemporary influences without sacrificing her jazz foundations. The result is an engaging and emotionally resonant recording that celebrates the artistry of a gifted musician whose creative vision continues to evolve and inspire.
