Quotes & Reviews

Judi Silvano’s vocal capabilities have been known for some time, tested in a myriad of contexts that have proven her versatility.  “Indigo Moods” is her 10th album as the Leader and she works in a minimalist environment together with pianist Peter Tomlinson offering the harmonic context and the trumpeter Fred Jacobs contributing colors and expressive notes.  There are many verses to these standards which do not fail to surprise us.

In the lineup are very famous songs and because they are so well known it is difficult to reproduce them, especially in a situation in which the singer is the center of attention and there is little or nothing to hide behind.  Silvano is, as usual, present with her great voice offering us exciting interpretation, perfect pronunciation, her great sense of rhythm, swing and everything in short that makes a singer a great singer.

Every song has a special story behind it, on which Silvano stretches out with her own interpretation as if it was the final one.  So when you listen you will forget past versions of these songs as Silvano brings them to you fully anchored in the present for Judi Silvano is moving these standards into the future.
 – Di Vittorio Lo Conte, AllAboutJazz Italy

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To hear a singer sing without a net like Judi Silvano does on her Indigo Moods is to invite an intimacy that ought to be germane to the art of singing ballads and torch songs. Channeling the spirits of Rosemary Clooney and Ella Fitzgerald, Silvano takes her own path in the end, sidling up to trumpeter Fred Jacobs and pianist Peter Tomlinson for 14 standards that stay pretty much in a 20th-century time frame.

Silvano’s slight vibrato is most expressive on the slower tunes, like Tadd Dameron’s “If You Could See Me Now,” where the gait of the other players and the singer’s phrasing suggest as to why these three may have put this music together in the first place. While their take on Duke Ellington’s “Mood Indigo” eventually seems to drag, it’s still filled with obvious sincerity. And Billy Strayhorn’s “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing” reminds us how the song will always be revisited by artists patient and desirous enough to mine its immense colors and moods. That’s a lot to realize in a singer, even a veteran like Silvano, who, no doubt, sings this song a tad differently than she did when she was 20 years younger.

That’s not to say the upbeat numbers don’t communicate. Irving Berlin’s “It Only Happens When I Dance With You,” an unconventional inclusion, does have that bounce, Silvano’s movements with Tomlinson suggesting a real dance on the floor. And Antonio Jobim’s “If You Never Come To Me” provides a window into Silvano’s scat sensibilities along with perhaps the best example of this trio playing as one. Ending this set with two lovelorn melodies — a reinvention of Thelonious Monk’s “Ugly Beauty” with lyrics for “Still We Dream” and the short, sweet duet with Jacobs on “I’ll Be Seeing You” — proffer the kind of simple delight in a song that seems rare, indeed.
– John Ephland, Downbeat

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It’s been seven years since Judi Silvano served up an all-standards platter. And though intermediary projects included her stellar teaming with Mal Waldron on Riding a Zephyr and the fine salute to female songwriters and musicians Women’s Work, it’s great to hear her take-no-prisoners approach applied to a fresh baker’s dozen of sturdy chestnuts. On this 10th album in 20 years, Silvano leaves delicacy and coyness to lesser songbirds, tackling these tunes with the might and finesse of a world-class boxer. Those not used to such sugar-free directness might at first find her a little off-putting; closer listening will reveal a depth of emotional honesty and perceptiveness that few can match.

Working with her regular trio mates, pianist Peter Tomlinson and trumpeter Fred Jacobs, Silvano remains true to the album’s title across a refreshingly forthright “You’ve Changed,” a multihued “If You Could See Me Now” and a stark “You Don’t Know What Love Is” that is a brilliant exercise in naked despair. Even selections traditionally given sunnier readings—“But Beautiful,” “If I Had You,” “It Only Happens When I Dance With You,” “Let’s Fall in Love”—are tempered with caution, their lyrical hopefulness undercut by loneliness lurking at their edges. Particularly arresting is her restless meander through a densely fogged “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing,” teetering between dream and nightmare. And there is a 14th track that, straying slightly from the Great American Songbook, finds Silvano swirling through a funhouse—or madhouse, or perhaps both—constructed of Monk’s “Still We Dream.”
-Christopher Loudon, Jazz Times

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Judi Silvano sings these well-chosen standards superbly!  We hear a voice extremely reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald in her later period, and this comparison pertains not just to vocal timbre, but to articulation and interpretation of the music as well.

After receiving a degree in classical music and dance from Temple University in Philadelphia, Silvano came to New York City and studied jazz singing with Jeanne Lee and Sheila Jordan. She is often compared to Norwegian singer Karin Krog and is known widely for her contributions to the albums of her husband, Joe Lovano, where she sings in an instrumental manner.

On her recent CD, “Indigo Moods,” she gracefully negates all that this might imply, showing that she can also deliver lyrics with maturity.  The influence of Abbey Lincoln and her music led Silvano to record Lincoln’s song, Not To Worry, as part of her “Women’s Work” CD and to study and focus on “telling the story” of a song.  She has reached a new level of expression.

The musicians accompanying Judi Silvano here on “Indigo Moods” are pianist Peter Tomlinson and trumpeter Fred Jacobs, and together they create a highly sensitive trio who feel like fish in pure water in this aesthetic zone.
– Jazz Forum / Poland jazzforum.com.pl

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Vocalist Judi Silvano celebrates 20 years of jazz recording with the release of Indigo Moods on the Jazzed Media label. After recording in a variety of formats, with and without husband and tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, Silvano lands here with a collection of standards that features pianist Peter Tomlinson providing the harmonic guidance and trumpeter Fred Jacobs adding the color. Such an intimate environment provides maximum artistic exposure for vocalists, and only the most experienced singers can not only withstand such exposure, but turn it to their benefit. Silvano does exactly both with grace and poise.

Silvano makes this an intensely personal project, permeating the music with her experience, artistry and courage. “Skylark” is almost idiosyncratic with her approach and phrasing, as is the final verse of Duke Ellington’s “Mood Indigo.” Silvano bends notes to cry uncle, creating a harmonic tension and release that is the bread and butter of only the best singers. Like tenor saxophonist John Coltrane’s tone, Silvano’s voice is not so much pretty as commanding and sublime. It is one that cannot be ignored.

If Indigo Moods has a center of gravity, it is Tadd Dameron’s exquisite ballad, “If You Could See Me Now.” The divine chemistry between Silvano, Tomlinson and Jacobs is transparent to the quantum-level point, giving an aural glimpse of what makes the craft of jazz vocals such a special subset of the overall genre. Jacobs plays muted, giving an organic reading of the accompaniment flourishes that give vocal recitals their deep hues and tones. Silvano captures all of the melancholy of love lost, deeply etched with her singing experience. These are the qualities that make this recording so exceptional. This is experienced singing sung well.
– C. Michael Bailey, AllAboutJazz.com

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Name sound familiar? It should. Judi Silvano celebrates her 20th Anniversary of her recording career with the release of her tenth recording, Indigo Moods. A slight departure for Silvano has a release full of popular jazz standards but dialed back to a more intimate somewhat organic presentation. Working with a trio for a jazz singer can be the equivalent of high wire act working without a net as one mistake can spell certain disaster for the less experienced vocalist.

Just to make things interesting, Silvano opts for a different trio format with Peter Tomlinson on piano and Fred Jacobs on trumpet and the resulting dynamic seemingly reinvents each tune allowing Silvano the unique opportunity to place her own indelible mark on each number. The standard trio with vocals by it’s very nature turns into a soloist with two accompanists i.e. the rhythm section. Peter Tomlinson and Fred Jacobs both contribute their own voicing in such a way as to blend for a richer dynamic. “Skylark” the Hoagy Carmichael/Johnny Mercer classic takes the melodic yet melancholy route with Jacobs trumpet fills. Silvano’s vocals are spot on and Tomlinson’s piano fill in the complete musical picture with style and elegance. “Let’s Fall In Love” while dialed back never loses the infectious swing with Silvano’s articulation and Tomlinson’s bright and breezy work on the piano bench. “Embraceable You” is kicked off with the rhythmic movement before the lyrics start again providing an interesting if not whimsical dynamic to this set of timeless standards.

Indigo Moods is a solid and dynamic offering by perhaps the most unique vocal trio you will hear but their chemistry and melodic re-invention of some iconic standards are as adventurous and inventive as any arrangements you may come across.
– Brent Black, CriticalJazz.com

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So what makes this album of great American songbag chestnuts different from all the other ones out there? Could it be that Silvano is in front of only a piano and trumpet? Nah. Silvano is in touch with something here. She takes these songs back to the clip joints from where they originally got traction, but she’s not emulating the chanteuses at the better clip joints. She’s channeling the broads belting it out at the dive bars with all the vulnerability, pain and edge of a nervous breakdown energy that bisexual, single moms with drug habits could muster back in the day. Cinematic in way’s you can’t even imagine, you might never hear these well worn songs in the same way again. All that’s missing is the intro where she details how this song is going out to that someone special, the one that knows who they are even if they couldn’t be with us tonight. Whew.
– Midwest Record

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Judi Silvano is not only one of the most adventurous vocalists in modern jazz, she may also be one of the least predictable. Which of course is a major ingredient in “adventurous” art of any sort. Having detoured from her more typical avant garde bent in 2005 with Let Yourself Go (Zoho Music), she took another turn in 2007 in celebration of Women’s Work (JSL Records) —compositions by the often under-rated women who have nevertheless made their marks on a genre dominated by men. Back in her more daring realm in 2008, she (finally) released Cleome: Lives Takes, recorded in 1999-2000 with her chordless cohorts (George Garzone, Michael Formanek and Gerry Hemingway). There’s been a bit of a lull between recording projects, but the wait is over and, of course, things are not the way they used to be. On Indigo Moods, Judi takes a set of familiar songs and brands them with her unique interpretive style, all the more removed from the usual presentation by her choice of the deceptively simple backing of piano (Peter Tomlinson) and trumpet (Fred Jacobs).

Judi explains in her liner note that “Indigo Moodsis the flowering of my love affair with life… the integration of these vast influences [the art traditions of her native Philadelphia, her life in New York and world travels] with my own inquisitive nature and years of living in the music… These well-known songs…express life’s beauty and struggles.” The set list includes fourteen songs from diverse but popular sources, from Ellington to Tadd Dameron to Monk and Gershwin, but, coming from Judi and the pairing of piano and trumpet, it’s a new day for each tune.

From the first verse of the majestically paced opening “Mood Indigo,” the genius of the instrumentation is apparent, the piano serving as the primary foil for Judi’s voice, trumpet providing counterpoint and solo breaks that lead Judi into more experimental territory, as if a second horn. And who says modern jazz can’ swing? Piano and trumpet team up on “You’ve Changed” to give Judi loosely constructed guideposts, but each of the three musicians takes his or her own route through the song. Tomlinson stays just slightly behind Judi on “Skylark,” Jacobs offering glowing commentary.

With just piano, “Let’s Fall in Love” swings in a slightly off-center fashion, just enough to keep ears on alert while feet keep tapping all the way through. Judi carries the melody nearly a cappella on “But Beautiful” as her cohorts abstractly trace the chords, yielding elegant results. “If I Had You” is relaxed and swinging, embellished by the slightly sassy tone of Jacob’s trumpet and Judi’s easygoing scat.

The trio stretches out a bit on a tastefully voiced interpretation of Tadd Dameron’s “If You Could See Me Now,” while Irving Berlin’s “It Only Happens When I Dance With You” is given a brief, swaying reading as a slightly dissonant piano/voice duet. Jacobs opens “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing,” his mournful trumpet paving the way for Judi’s tender phrasing. Moving south of the border, the trio tackles Jobim’s “If You Never Come to Me,” highlighted by Judi’s scatting duel with Jacobs, like two horns dancing around each other while Tomlinson provides a gently breezy interlude. The Silvano/Jacobs pairing also highlights “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” Judi wrapping the lyrics around Fred’s bluesy commentary, Tomlinson a subdued but critical partner in propelling the song forward.

Few songs are covered as often as Gershwin’s “Embraceable You,” but seldom with this degree of originality as Judi creates a bossa-tinged arrangement in which the English lyrics take on a scat quality. The interplay of the trio here has as many charms as the song itself. “Still We Dream,” on the other hand, is covered far too infrequently. Mike Ferro’s lyricized version of Monk’s “Ugly Betty” naturally lends itself to some experimentation, and the Silvano/Tomlinson duo offer an engaging blend of minimalism and lyrical abstraction. The set closes with a relatively brief arrangement of “I’ll Be Seeing You,” just Judi and a muted echo from Jacobs.

Over the years, Judi Silvano has proven herself to be a complex and far-reaching musician, as comfortable on swinging standards as on the most obtuse reconstructions of melody and harmony or original works. Beyond her signature vocal interpretations, however, Judi continually forges new territory through her collaborations, and Indigo Moods – melding voice, piano and trumpet–presents one of her most satisfying alliances to date.
– Andrea Canter, JazzPolice.com

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Jazz vocalist/composer Judi Silvano, who celebrates 20 years of recording with her new standards album, “Indigo Moods” (released last week via Jazzed Media), will take center stage on Saturday, May 5, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., at Trumpets Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square. Cover charge is $15. For reservations, call 973-744-2600.

Silvano has had a successful career as both a vocalist and a composer, premiering original works with musicians such as Joe Lovano and Kenny Werner. Recently, she was chosen to have two of her classical works featured at the New York Women Composers’ concert at Symphony Space’s Thalia Theatre in New York City.

Her album, “Indigo Moods” is a collection of standards, featuring Silvano, pianist Peter Tomlinson and trumpeter Fred Jacobs. The arrangements on the album were mostly developed during the recording session, which Silvano led, while keeping an open collaborative environment.

What makes this release different from her previous nine albums is that “Indigo Moods” consists entirely of familiar popular jazz standards delivered in an extremely intimate setting. Silvano grew up listening to singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, but needed to study and learn the repertoire in order to make the stylistic transition from the classical style to the more dramatic jazz singing. Since that time, she has completed 10 recordings under her own name, and sung on numerous others, collaborating with leading jazzmen of multiple generations.

Silvano has been collaborating with Peter and Fred as a trio for more than two years. “The synthesis of our musicality allows us to weave our melodic ideas by carefully listening to each other as we play these vintage tunes,” the vocalist stated in an email to The Times. “With this recording, I feel I have integrated bringing these songs to life in my own personal way with a sense of ease. And at least, for me, that only comes with having lived a little longer from experience.”
– Montclair Times

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Jazz musician Judi Silvano was born into a family who love the arts and it has had a large impact on her life.  In a recent interview Silvano spoke about her upbringing, influences and her new album out now called Indigo Moods (Jazzed Media) which features Peter Tomlinson on piano and Fred Jacobs on trumpet.

Silvano is part of a musical family, which has helped her connect with people on many different levels.  Her influences are broad, including jazz, big band and classical.  She is a talented artist in many areas other than music including dance, painting and pottery.  Silvano has just recently published her first painting.  One of her paintings is shown on the cover of the album as well as the small picture inside the CD with the blue house and sunset.

For Indigo Moods, she chose her most heartfelt favorite songs such as “Embraceable You” and “Let’s Fall in Love.”  Silvano said, “I’ve always been influenced by Ella Fitzgerald because she is so brilliant, but I didn’t want to copy her.”  Silvano came up with the idea of her tenth album from playing gigs with Tomlinson and Jacobs.  The three musicians perform well together, so she felt that she should record an album with them.  She chose some of her favorite songs and the finished product is a wonderful album that is a must have for any jazz fan.

Silvano said, “Music makes me feel good.  It makes people feel good.  Music is a celebration that brings people together.”
– Michelle Humphrey, Denver Jazz and R&B Examiner