Autumn Leaves

This is a version where I’ve written lyrics to Chet Baker’s famous trumpet solo where he performed with Paul Desmond (alto sax), bob James (Keyboards), Ron Carter (contrabass), Steve Gadd (drums). This is just Voice and bass, featuring Mauro Sereno (@MrSunnybass) from Italy. As always Ramjee put the video together for me.

But Not For Me

There have been many, many, many #jazzsingers and #jazzinstrumentalists who’ve covered #ButNotForMe in the past 90 years, when it was first written by #GeorgeandIraGershwin for a musical. Including #ChetBaker, who both sang and took a #trumpetsolo. And since I love writing lyrics and then singing his solos, that’s what I’ve done here. #Vocalese, they call […]

There Will Never Be Another You

#ThereWillNeveBeAnotherYou was written for a movie called Iceland back in 1942 by #HarryWarren and #MackGordon. It was sung as a slow ballad, a love song. Then along came #jazz cats. Who needed everything to be speeded up X4 so they could display their chops in a spectacular way. And one of those jazz cats was […]

Review: Radha Thomas’ Pensive New Record ‘Vocalese’

The Bengaluru-based jazz vocalist pays tribute to the sensitive and introspective jazz musician Chet Baker Sunil Sampat Feb 19, 2020, Rolling Stone India ‘Vocalese’ artwork by Reynold Philip ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ Bengaluru jazz vocalist Radha Thomas’ new record Vocalese — out via Subcontinental Records — comprises of four tunes and features fine accompaniment. This is a […]

Review of Vocalese: A Tribute to Chet Baker

Radha Thomas A Tribute To Chet Baker An excellent jazz singer from India who has spent time in New York, Radha Thomas pays tribute to Chet Baker on her new EP in the best possible way. She performs four standards which, after she sings the melody, find her performing her own vocalese to the trumpeter’s […]

Vocalese

Listen here. Earlier in the summer, I was in NYC and had two weeks of terrific fun planning and finally recording an album I’ve always wanted to do. Writing lyrics and writing books things I really enjoy doing… not quite as much as singing though if I’m to be honest. Anyhow, I’ve been working on […]