Allee, John

Portuguese Knees, 2019CD
Instrument: Male Vocals


Issue: 26.1

Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
O's Jazz Ruler

Performance: 4
Performance Chart

Sound: 3
Sound Chart

Score: 88
Score Chart

O’s Notes: Composer, arranger and vocalist John Allee is a self-proclaimed Bardfly, a bebop balladeer who is also a student of Shakespeare. Allee leads the way on thirteen compositions based on lyrics from Shakespeare’s plays. Mahesh Balasooriya (p), Aaron McLendon (d), Dominic Thiroux (b), Javier Vergara (t-sax) and Matt Von Roderick (t) form a supportive band that provides an excellent compliment. John displays rich vocals on “Sigh No More” and “Never Come Again”. “The Hungry Lion” is littered with poetic spoken word intermingled with crisp, jazzy phrases. We also dug the “Barfly Blues”, “The Wind and the Rain” and “Green Willow” making this a super, entertaining set.


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Publicist: Mouthpiece Music