What I love most about vocalist Meredith d'Ambrosio is her ability to exude innocence and sophistication at the same time. Her first album, Lost in His Arms, was recorded in 1978 and from then on, Meredith has amazed me with her talent and artistry. She's a composer, an arranger, a painter (her paintings grace virtually all of her album covers), a mosaicist and a pianist. She's also a wonderful, warm friend. Happy birthday, Meredith!
Here are 10 favorite tracks by Meredith d'Ambrosio:
Here's I Got Lost in His Arms from the album of the same name, recorded in 1978 with Meredith accompanying herself on piano...
Here's Love Is a Simple Thing from Another Time recorded in 1981 with Meredith on piano...
Here's How Is Your Wife? from Little Jazz Bird in 1982 with Meredith on piano...
Here's Giant Steps in 1985, from It's Your Dance, with Harold Danko on piano and Kevin Eubanks on guitar...
Here's How Deep Is the Ocean from The Cove in 1987 backed by Lee Konitz (as), Fred Hersch (p), Michael Formanek (b) and Keith Copeland (d)...
Here's You Better Go Now from South to a Warmer Place, with her late husband and pianist Eddie Higgins on piano and Don Coffman on bass in 1989...
Here's a medley of You've Changed and You've Altered Your Attitude from Shadowland in 1992, backed by Blair Tindall (Eng. hrn, oboe), Ron Kozak (b-cl,fl), Eddie Higgins (p), Johnny Frigo (vln), Erik Friedlander (cello), Jay Leonhart (b) and Ben Riley (d)...
Here's Stoppin' the Clock from Out of Nowhere in 1998, backed by Lee Musiker (p), Jay Leonhart (b) and Terry Clarke (d)...
Here's Blame It All on Spring from Love Is for the Birds in 2001 backed by Lee Musiker (p), Jay Leonhart (b) and Joe Ascione (d)...
And here's Love Is Not a Game from the album of the same name in 1990, with Meredith accompanying herself on piano...
Bonus: Part 1 of my five-part 2009 JazzWax interview with Meredith is here. Additional parts can be found at the top of each post, above the red date.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Meredith's Sunnyside albums at online retailers. Visit her site for the liner notes here.