It's All Right with Me

by Ken DrydenSara Lazarus' second CD since winning the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition for vocals is primarily a meeting with the phenomenal Gypsy jazz guitarist Biréli Lagrène and his band, focusing primarily on upbeat standards about love. Lazarus' expressive vocals are never coy or overdone; instead, she embellishes each song with just the right touch, with Lagrène's delightful solos providing a break between choruses. Highlights include her lively "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," the sassy "It's All Right with Me," and the infectious "Cheek to Cheek." A string section plus drummer André Ceccarelli (who sticks to brushes) take the place of Lagrène's band on three slow ballads arranged by Raymond Gimenes, all of which provide a perfect backdrop for Lazarus' rich vocals. Sara Lazarus' sophomore release reveals a singer with a bright future.