(Jazzed Media)

Julie Kelly has a voice and delivery that is timeless and thoroughly engaging. The West Coast singer, who can swing as nicely as she delivers a ballad, offers up a thoroughly enjoyable production with her latest effort Happy To Be. The menu of music is a nice mix of mostly off-the-beaten-path standards and clever original compositions. Kelly’s talents are enhanced wonderfully by a top-notch lineup including pianist and arranger Bill Cunliffe, guitarist Anthony Wilson, bassist Tom Warrington, drummer Joe LaBarbera and vibraphonist Nick Mancini. The equally impressive horn ensemble includes saxophonists Bob Sheppard and Kim Richmond, trumpeter Clay Jenkins, trombonist Bob McChesney and Ron Stout on flugelhorn. Kelly’s vocals are like a warm embrace and this is a recording that compels listening from start to finish.