Angela Hagenbach - Come Fly With Me (1994)

It seems as if each major city has its great jazz singers. Kansas City in the 1990s is blessed with at least three: Kevin Mahogany, Karrin Allyson and the least-known, Angela Hagenbach. On her debut CD, Hagenbach (who has an immediately appealing voice) goes out of her way to show off her versatility. Although all 13 songs she interprets are standards, the treatments are sometimes unusual. To name a few examples, "Tenderly" is mostly taken doubletime, "Lazy Afternoon" is made funky, "'Round Midnight" becomes a duet with bassist Bob Bowman, a sensitive but not predictable "Lush Life" finds Hagenbach just backed by Joe Cartwright's piano and two numbers feature her singing in Portuguese. There are other highlights (particularly the excellent solos of Kim Park on tenor, alto and flute) but the main quality that sticks in one's mind after hearing this recording is an appreciation of Angela Hagenbach's willingness to take chances. This is a strong beginning to what should be a very productive career.

Tracklist:

01. My One and Only
02. Tenderly
03. The Sweetest Sounds
04. Lazy Afternoons
05. 'Round Midnight
06. Berimbau
07. Come Fly With Me
08. Get Out of Town
09. Solitude
10. Agua de Beber
11. Yesterdays
12. Lush Life
13. Felicidade