Sheila Cooper - Phoenix Rising (2012)

On “Phoenix Rising”, her fourth CD as a leader, Sheila Cooper brings her songwriting skills to the fore, with six inspired new compositions that match her emotional breadth as a performer, from humorous (“Man Overboard”, “Just Be Livin’ In It”), to romantic (“Kiss and Tell”) to searching (“Phoenix Rising”, “The Home Inside My Heart”). Sheila is backed by master New York musicians Gary Versace on piano, organ, and accordian, Ed Howard on acoustic bass, and Billy Drummond on drums, with guest appearances by guitarist John Hart and Vienna-based Brazilian percussionist Luis Ribeiro, Sheila and her band create grooving, soulful and impassioned moods on these originals and the her signature witty reworkings of standards that complete the set.

"Canadian-born, NYC-based singer and saxophonist Cooper has developed her own self-assured sound as both a vocalist and altoist - her refreshingly simple, unfussy delivery befits her Konitz-esque sax tone while her unpretentious singing draws on her narrative abilities over excessive reliance on technique. RECOMMENDED. ~ TIMEOUT LONDON, UK

Tracklist:

01. Man Overboard
02. Learnin' The Blues
03. Phoenix Rising
04. Devil May Care
05. Kiss And Tell
06. The Home Inside My Heart
07. Ridin' High
08. Blues In The Night
09. If I Had You
10. Just Be Livin' In It
11. Don't Look Down
12. Embraceable You
13. Man Overboard (Radio Edit)

Personnel:

Sheila Cooper: vocals, alto saxophone;
Gary Versace: piano, Hammond B-3 organ, accordion;
Ed Howard: acoustic bass;
Billy Drummond: drums; John Hart: guitar (6, 9);
Luis Ribeiro: percussion (3, 4).