Sophie Milman: In The Moonlight

Juno Nominee 2012 - Jazz Vocal Album of the Year
IN THE MOONLIGHT finds the artist creating her most sophisticated and accomplished work to date, drawing upon her sublime interpretive skills and unique personal history to deliver a deeply compelling set of jazz and pop standards that showcases the subtle emotional shadings of her singing. Throughout IN THE MOONLIGHT, Milman’s performances elevate a musically and lyrically diverse array of material, encompassing the playful romanticism of George Gershwin/Buddy DeSylva chestnut “Do It Again,” the poignant melancholy of the Kurt Weill classic “Speak Low,” the barbed bitter sweetness of Serge Gainsbourg’s “Ces Petits Riens,” the effortless uplift of the Antonio Carlos Jobim/Jon Hendricks bossa nova favourite “No More Blues,” the understated elegance of the beloved Duke Ellington classics “Prelude to A Kiss,” and “Day Dream.” IN THE MOONLIGHT matches Milman with a stellar set of musicians whose talent and sensitivity complement her own, resulting in performances that consistently cut to the emotional truth of each song. Recording in New York for the first time and working with Grammy-nominated producer Matt Pierson, she’s accompanied by Gerald Clayton and Kevin Hays, Julian Lage, Romero Lubambo, Larry Grenadier, Lewis Nash, Bashiri Johnson, Randy Brecker, Chris Potter, Gregoire Maret (harmonica), with noted arrangers Alan Broadbent, Gil Goldstein and Rob Mounsey.
Wholenote Discoveries - December 2011/January 2011
Vocalist Sophie Milman’s latest disc, In the Moonlight is a trip through the Great American Songbook (with a short detour by way of Feist) which places her on a new tier of her remarkable evolution as a jazz vocalist. Ms Milman is the veritable Grace Kelly of jazz – elegant, beautiful, skilled and always in good taste. Produced by Matt Pierson (who is responsible for discovering jazz star Joshua Redman, among others), the CD was recorded at famed Sear Sound in NYC and boasts an all-star line-up of jazz luminaries such as Gerald Clayton, Lewis Nash, Romero Lubambo, Randy Brecker and Chris Potter, matched with innovative arrangements by Rob Mounsey, Gerald Clayton, Julian Loge, Gil Goldstein, Alan Broadbent and Kevin Hayes. In addition, we are treated to six tracks with orchestral components – inspired settings for Sophie’s luminous voice and persona. This recording is the splendid result of exquisitely talented pairings between instrumentalists, arrangers and vocalist. The Oscar winning title track was written by The Bergmans for the 1980s re-make of the film Sabrina. Sophie’s version utilizes strings in interplay with her lower register, in order to capture every romantic nuance. From The Music Man comes ’Til There Was You, rendered by Sophie with a profound intimacy - a new twist on this familiar Broadway powerhouse. Also wonderful is Serge Gainsbourg’s romantic Ces Petits Riens, enhanced by atmospheric accordion work from pianist/arranger Gil Goldstein - Sophie’s quick, parfait-like vibrato and impeccable phrasing is an elegant fit for this genre. This is a beautifully produced, recorded and performed CD – a perfect holiday gift! Lesley Mitchell-Clarke
2011 album from the Jazz vocalist. Few young vocalists have entered the Jazz scene in this new century with the kind of acclaim received by the supremely talented Sophie Milman. Still in her 20s, she has now delivered her fourth album and first masterpiece, In The Moonlight. Produced by Grammy-winner Matt Pierson (Jane Monheit, Michael Franks, Joshua Redman, Kirk Whalum), this warm, witty, and altogether wonderful collection marks the first time Sophie has recorded in New York with an all-star supporting cast of Jazz veterans and hot new stars, performing gorgeous arrangements for strings and larger ensembles. With a rich, sensuous voice that puts a thoroughly modern spin on the legacy of immortals like June Christy and Carmen MacRae, Sophie Milman makes her mark not just as a singer of songs, but as a complete musician whose taste and sophistication set her alongside today's very greatest singers.

Price: $17.98