(MCG Jazz)

Sweet Candor is the wonderful debut and final recording of singer Maureen Budway. While we can lament her loss to breast cancer in January, she and the music left the world on this production will be thoroughly enjoyed by all who hear it. Budway possessed a lovely voice with which she beautifully delivered every note. The set list here is a diverse and entertaining array of tunes by composers like Irving Berlin, Sam Jones, Billy Reid and Buddy Kay, Irving Berlin, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stephen Foster, Donald Moore and Dave Frishberg, among others. The musicianship  is high as well with  David Budway on piano, Marty Ashby on guitar, Jeff Grubbs and Paul Thompson on bass, with James Johnson III and Thomas Wendt splitting the drum duties. The project also includes guest performances from trumpeter Sean Jones, flutist Hubert Laws and guitarist Joe Negri. What a beautiful and lasting tribute, as well as a gift to music lovers .