(Concord Jazz)

Vocalist Curtis Stigers knows his way around a song, something he makes quite clear with his latest effort. Hooray For Love finds Stigers creating an album of songs, from or inspired by the American Songbook tradition and defining with his sensibilities and cool style. Covered are tunes by George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields and Frank Loesser, among others. Stigers wrote or co-wrote 3 originals tunes that fit right in with the mood. The singer also pulls a bit of double duty, picking up the tenor saxophone on a number tunes. The rest of the dynamic musician lineup includes Matthew Fries on piano, Keith Hall on drums, Cliff Schmitt on bass, Matt Munisteri on guitar, and John Sneider on trumpet. Cyril Aimée joins in on the project’s only duet. The arrangements and performances create a fantastic canvas for Stigers to paint a great work of art and he delivers.