Sheila Jordan - Little Song

Sheila Jordan (born Sheila Jeanette Dawson; November 18, 1928)^[1] is an American jazz singer and songwriter. She has recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to recording her own albums. Jordan pioneered a bebop and scat jazz singing style with an upright bass as the only accompaniment.^[2] Jordan's music has earned praise from many critics, particularly for her ability to improvise lyrics; Scott Yanow describes her as "one of the most consistently creative of all jazz singers."^[3] Charlie Parker often introduced Jordan as "the lady with the million dollar ears."^[4][5][2]

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Steve Kuhn (born March 24, 1938) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator.^[1]

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Little Song Review

 

by Scott Yanow

Although she shows her age in spots, Sheila Jordan in 2002 was still a very creative jazz singer. She has always made the most of her voice, taking chances while remaining a little tied to the bebop tradition. She reunites with her old friend pianist Steve Kuhn, welcomes trumpeter Tom Harrell to four of the 13 selections, and explores such songs as a wistful "Autumn in New York," "On a Slow Boat to China," a witty version of "Hello Young Lovers," "If I Should Love You," and some lesser-known material. Her scatting remains quite inventive and sometimes her wordless vocals sound like an American Indian folk song. Although not quite as essential as her work of a decade earlier, this is a worthwhile effort full of subtle surprises and Sheila Jordan's charm. 

Sheila Jordan 

Little Song

1 Little Song / Blackbird 00:00 2 Autumn In New York 02:14 3 Barbados 10:00 4 On A Slow Boat In China 14:51 5 Hello Young Lovers 19:59 6 Fairweather 22:44 7 Something's Gotta Give 28:16 8 If I Should Lose You 33:46 9 The Way He Captured Me 39:52 10 Deep Tango 45:01 11 The Touch Of Your Lips 51:50 12 When I Grow Too Old To Dream 56:57 13 Little Song 01:01:03 Vocals – Sheila Jordan Piano – Steve Kuhn Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell (tracks: 2, 6, 8, 11) Bass – David Finck Drums – Billy Drummond Recorded at The Studio, New York, NY, on June 3 & 4, 2002