Alexis Cole | Songs From My Tour of Duty

Songs From My Tour of Duty is a gem of a recording from singer Alexis Cole. The title references Coles’ service as a singer with U.S. Army bands. Cole’s experience in such big band settings contributes greatly to her outstanding delivery on this effort. The set features a cross-section of the American Songbook and other popular tunes, including compositions from George and Ira Gershwin, Miles Davis, Oscar Brown, Jr., Thelonious Monk, Jon Hendricks, Antonio Carlos Jobim, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and Billy Joel, among others. The songs are the beneficiaries of wonderful arrangements and an outstanding large ensemble of musicians, with solo performances from guests like Bob Sheppard and Derrick James on saxophones, Jeff Jarvis on trumpet, Paul Meyers on guitar, and David Finck on bass. It’s a truly gorgeous production that is truly one worth hearing.