Here’s a professionally performed CD—just vocal and piano with fifteen tunes by Gershwin, Ellington, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, and others. What makes it special is the pairing of Rebecca Kilgore with German pianist Bernd Lhotzky. Many readers will, no doubt, be familiar with Becky Kilgore as she’s a regular on the recording and jazz party circuit. In fact, Pensacola fans will remember her appearance at Pensacola JazzFest in 1999 when she came with a group which included drummer Hal Smith.
Lhotzky, age 46, is famous in US as well as in Europe. He has performed at the Jazz in July Festival in New York and at the Arbors Records Jazz Party in Clearwater, FL. He has recorded with jazz pianist Dick Hyman on the highly acclaimed album Stridin’ the Classics. He also performs with Echoes of Swing group in Germany and performs with Chris Hopkins in piano duo.
I’m a fan of both, having heard each of them perform on several occasions. Becky is not only a vocalist but an excellent guitarist who knows how to deliver a tune. But she only vocalizes on this recording.
When is the last time you heard Hoagy Carmichael’s “Baltimore Oriole?” If not lately, this is your chance.
’ll name a few others I loved, in order to intrigue you: Strayhorn’s “Lotus Blossom” and “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing”; Ellington/Strayhorn’s “Grievin’” and “Star Crossed Lovers”; and the Gershwin brothers’ “Do-Do-Do.”
Rebecca Kilgore and Bernd Lhotzky: This and That
Arbors Records (www.arborsrecords.com)
Dr. F. Norman Vickers is a founder of the Jazz Society of Pensacola/Pensacola Jazzfest and a charter member of the Jazz Journalists Association.
