Greta Matassa, “The Smiling Hour”

A noted Northwest Jazz institution, Greta Matassa further solidifies the deserved praise with her fourth recording on Origin. Again reinventing jazz classics such as “Too Close For Comfort” and “Indian Summer,” Greta also takes on lesser known treats such as Jule Styne’s “Dance Only With Me,” Johnny Mandel’s “The Solitary Moon,” and the title track by Ivan Lins. A standout is the hauntingly beautiful Pat Metheny tune, “If I Could, You Know I Would,” with lyrics by former Santana drummer Michael Shrieve. Accompanying Greta is her band of many years – Darin Clendenin on piano, bassist Clipper Anderson, and drummer Mark Ivester.

TRACKS:

1 The Smiling Hour (Abre Alas) 5:33
2 If I Could, You Know I Would 5:35
3 Dance Only With Me 4:11
4 It’s Delovely 4:31
5 Estate 6:58
6 I Get Along Without You Very Well 4:58
7 Indian Summer 4:43
8 Reminiscing In Tempo 4:24
9 Too Close For Comfort 4:14
10 The Solitary Moon 5:32

PERFORMERS:

GRETA MATASSA vocals
DARIN CLENDENIN piano
CLIPPER ANDERSON bass
MARK IVESTER drums / percussion
SUSAN PASCAL vibraphone
MARK TAYLOR alto saxophone