Helen Theophanous - Amici (2013)

Helen Theophanous is half Greek, half Irish and at an early age learned the opening bars of "A Tisket A Tasket" from her Irish mother.

This debut jazz album came about after a chance remark, that it would be good to record some of the songs performed during the year at Ronnie's Bar at Ronnie Scott's in London, on the occasions when Helen had been a featured singer invited by internationally acclaimed saxophonist and composer Renato D'Aiello. This led to a couple of rehearsal sessions and one day in the studio where Bruno Montrone on piano, Dario Di Lecce on bass and Ed Richardson on drums, magically brought Renato D'Aiello's ideas to life with Helen on vocals. The songs are performed in the same way as at Ronnie's Bar with brilliant instrumental solos.

"Renato is a superlative saxophonist with a passionate and poetic soul. He has all the virtues - a beautiful sense of time and pacing and a technique which effortlessly projects his brilliantly flowing ideas." - Ian Carr-Jazz Writer.

Helen performs these arrangements with the Renato D'Aiello quartet; her voice has been described by Claire Martin OBE as "Stunning…. sexy…..classy.."

"Polka Dots and Moonbeams", sung from the male perspective, takes on a unique personality. "Dancing On the Ceiling" pays its compliments to Chet Baker. "Simple Life" begins simply with Dario Di Lecce's bass line,and "April in Paris" goes straight into a gentle swing. Usually performed as a ballad, "There's A Lull in My Life", is treated to an optimistic latin rhythm, as is "The More I See You". "My One And Only Love" is a classic. The haunting arrangement of Cy Coleman and David Zippel's "With Every Breath I Take" perfectly illustrates the brilliant talent of Renato D'Aiello.

Two guest tracks with other friends are included. "How Deep Is Your Love" by the BeeGees, is an arrangement by Helen Theophanous in collaboration with Janette Mason and performed with Janette Mason (piano) and Simon Little (bass). The arrangement of "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance" was created in the studio with Simon Wallace (piano) and Paul Jordanous (trumpet).

These beautiful songs spanning over fifty years stand together naturally in this album.

Tracklist:

01. Dancing On the Ceiling
02. With Every Breath I Take
03. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
04. How Deep Is Your Love
05. The More I See You
06. April in Paris
07. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance
08. Give Me the Simple Life
09. There's a Lull in My Life
10. My One and Only Love