2xHD and Resonance Records present the Stereo DSD release of Smile, the first album by one of the most promising young Jazz Singers to emerge in years: Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, known simply as Tawanda.
Exclusively available in Stereo DSD 512, DSD 256 and DSD 64 at NativeDSD.
The Los Angeles-based vocalist, 26, sings in a cloudless alto with a crystalline shimmer, effortless but unfussy jazz feeling, immaculate musicianship, and a maturity that few of her contemporaries possess. In June of 2021, Tawanda tied for first place with Gabrielle Cavassa in the 9th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, held in Newark, New Jersey. (The competition was originally slated to be held in 2020 but delayed due to Covid.
The winner of the 10th annual competition was also announced in 2021). Her performance — judged by a panel that included singers Carmen Lundy and Vanessa Rubin and bassist Christian McBride — was all the more impressive given that Tawanda had performed her first full show just a year before.
Smile was produced by Resonance Records founder and president George Klabin. Resonance is renowned both for its deluxe reissues of previously unreleased gems by Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, and other greats; and for its new recordings by an impeccably chosen array of veterans and newcomers.
On Smile, Tawanda gives even the most time-honored standards a freshness that makes them sound new. She also finds the jazz in tunes recorded by Sting (“Sister Moon”), Donny Hathaway (“Sack Full of Dreams”), and Maureen McGovern (“Bring Back My Dreamer”).
Lifting her even higher are the elegant piano-playing and arrangements of two members of the Resonance family, Tamir Hendelman and Josh Nelson, both of whom have brought out the best in many a singer. Along with famed Jazz Guitarist Anthony Wilson, known for his work on albums by Diana Krall and albums at NativeDSD with Jacintha, Eden Atwood, Lauren White and his Jazz Ensemble – Our Gang, Savivity, Jack of Hearts and Power of Nine..
Tawanda, Vocals
Anthony Wilson, Guitar
Josh Nelson, Piano & Arrangements
Tamir Hendelman, Piano & Arrangements
Kevin Axt, Bass
Gary Meek, Saxophone
Gene Coy, Drums
Ray Brinker, Drums
Tracklist
Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.Total time: 00:57:02
Additional information
| Label | |
|---|---|
| SKU | 2XHDRE1234 |
| Qualities | DSD 512 fs, DSD 256 fs, DSD 128 fs, DSD 64 fs, DXD 24 Bit, FLAC 192 kHz, FLAC 96 kHz |
| Channels | |
| Artists | Anthony Wilson, Gary Meek, Gene Coy, Josh Nelson, Kevin Axt, Ray Brinker, Tamir Hendelman, Tawanda |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | |
| Original Recording Format | |
| Release Date | December 29, 2023 |
Press reviews
All About Jazz
Tawanda, tied for first place in the 9th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition held in June 2021. That is fresh talent. Tawanda won this award only a year after making her stage debut, a feat, surpassed only by the aptitude and maturity revealed on her debut recording, Smile.
Tawanda seems to go from zero to belonging in the esteemed company of Veronica Swift, Cecile McLorin Salvant and Cyrille Aimée in negative time, if that could be measured.
Tawanda’s voice is described as …”a cloudless alto…,” one able to nuzzle both the high and low places in the register. It is a voice of seamless confidence that is as equally at home with established standards like Harry Woods’s “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” and the canon-expanding songs like Sting’s “Sister Moon.”
The singer excels on a sharply curated version of the Gary McFarland/Lou Savary composition “Sack Full of Dreams,” making it the spiritual center of her hopeful recording. These performances are punctuated by the arrangements of pianists Tamir Hendelman and Josh Nelson, whose contributions elevate this recording above its already lofty position.
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