By Esther Callens
Returning after a brief hiatus with a new album is jazz vocalist/composer Brenda Earle Stokes. Set for a release date of June 10th is Right About Now. With a wonderful collection that includes a few original surprises, Brenda has definitely returned to her element.
Although it has been over five years since Brenda’s last recording, she never forgot about music. She states, “My life changed dramatically over the course of the last couple of years. I got married, I had a child and the relationship to my music was changing. I was hearing a lot of sounds in my head and I was waiting for the right moment to dive back in.”
The right moment came when she began to talk with producer Matt Pierson. That collaboration resulted in this album.
Right About Now is an expression of Brenda’s life composed to music. The album opens with “It’s High Time.” This is her affirmation with snappy lyrics backed by a mid-tempo. “The Letters on the Pages” is a great melody with profound lyrics. “Baiso Em Minha Cabeca” and “She Sings” are two fantastic compositions. Although there are no lyrics, there are some beautiful simple notes. On the other spectrum, lyrics are put to the bluesy “(Meant) For You” and the sober “Water Into Water.” Right About Now presents the perfect manifestation of what Brenda has become –a stunning talent with a bright future.
Brenda Earle Stokes has travelled all over the world performing with John Riley, Donny McCaslin, Maurice Hines and countless others. She is a native of Ontario.
Album listings: It’s High Time; In September; Water Into Wine (Egberto Gismonti-music only); The Letters on the Pages; Baiso Em Minha Cabeca; (Meant) For You (Dick Oatts-music only); Everything I Love; Right About Now; She Sings; The Birthday Song; Got The Time; Let My Love Open the Door.
Album personnel: Brenda Earle Stokes (piano, vocals, Rhodes, triangle); Matt Aronoff (bass); Jordan Perlson (drums); Steve Cardenas (guitar); Joel Frahm (saxophone).
