Tuesday, June 27, 2017

USA: Jill Seifers, Eeppi Ursin & Mika Pohjola-New York Jazz Vocals (2017)


American Broadway songs with a classy touch became the recognizable feature of vocalist Jill Seifers Walsh and pianist Mika Pohjola at the turn of the millenium. Walsh and Pohjola met in Boston in the early 90's, and started making frequent appearances with their repertory in New York City. This duo proudly performed classics by Cole Porter, Dmitri Tiomkin and Richard Rodgers, not to forget Elvis Costello. The repertoire contained songs which are forgotten by many of today's jazz musicians. It is the contrast between Walsh's heartfelt yet simple vocal stylings and Pohjola's lush harmonies which made this duo and this album particularly fresh and a truly special one. The renditions express masterful lyricism in music and words. Jill Seifers Walsh tragically died in December 2012.