(Motema)

Singer Tessa Souter brings the music and inspiration of classical composers such as Brahms, Chopin and Beethoven into to the jazz vocal realm with her latest effort, Beyond The Blue. Souter adapted classical works to her musical methodology, writing lyrics for most of the compositions at the suggestion of Venus Records’ Tetsuo Hara, who co-produced the date with Todd Barkan of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Other of the album’s tracks find Souter combining the lyrics of familiar standards with the melodies of works by Revel and Debussy. The result of it all is a unique, artistic and richly entertaining endeavor. Souter is aided nicely by the trio of pianist Steve Kuhn, bassist David Finck and drummer Billy Drummond.The band is further augmented by the talents of vibraphonist Joe Locke, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm and accordionist Gary Versace. Released solely in Japan last year, the project is being made available by Motema Records worldwide. What a great concept for a recording and terrific production to boot.