Vocalist Stacey Kent has been consistently giving us gorgeous versions of standards as well as introducing fresh tunes into the jazz canon for over twenty years. Kent is a Grammy nominated, Platinum-selling American jazz singer and recording artist that was born in South Orange, New Jersey and attended Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey. After graduation, Kent traveled to England to study music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where she met saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, whom she married. She has won many awards, but she has never teamed up with a full orchestra, until now!
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About the Album
I Know I Dream: The Orchestral Sessions (Deluxe Version) presents Kent’s voice with a full orchestra containing nearly sixty musicians, plus the traditional jazz quartet of piano, bass, drums and saxophone. Consisting of twelve tracks and two bonus tracks, for a total of fourteen lush selections that features Kent’s warm embracing vocal style. The full orchestral arrangements are subtle, adding without overwhelming and leave plenty of room for improvisations by individual instruments like flute, sax, guitar, and piano. The quality of the original material is wonderful. The title song, “I Know I Dream,” and “Make It Up” are very enjoyable. The arrangements for familiar material are also stellar, check out, “Double Rainbow” and “That’s All.” Kent sounds as good as ever and brings true feelings to the lyrics. The arrangements are most by Tommy Laurence with a few from Jim Tomlinson. Kent’s sensitivity to phrasing, grace, and multilingual lyrics all contribute to this pleasurable release.
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Our Favorite Song
Our favorite track was Léo Ferré’s “Avec Le Temps.” The arrangement is beautiful and Kent’s phrasing and emotion translation is breath taking. The strings support Kent’s lines without getting in the way, but still add the right amount of color and support. The arrangement 
builds and unfolds, taking the listener on a quiet emotional journey that is beautiful, introspective and a stunning example of singing, orchestration and playing. The maturity, vocal control and emotional impact by Kent is perfect and the French lyrics take it over the top!
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In Conclusion
The singing, orchestrations and material on this project is first-rate. Jazz buffs will enjoy the Jobim gems and standards like “That’s All,”and everyone will love the French tearjerkers and the new appealing songs Tomlinson co-wrote with (either) Cliff Goldmacher, Kazuo Ishiguro, or Antonio Ladeira. Kent again delivers a beautiful project that has a wide musical appeal, with amazing orchestrations and singing, what more could one ask for?
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