Smith Emma
La Reserve, 2025, CD
Instrument: Female Vocals
Issue: 31.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 77
O’s Notes: British vocalist Emma Smith exudes an abundance of confidence on her latest release Bitter Orange, her US debut. She’s from a family rich in music and follows that legacy with a dedicated work ethic. Smith performs with her trio of over ten years including co-producer Jamie Safir (p), Conor Chaplin (b), and Luke Tomlinson (d). Among the best of twelve selections are “Frim Fram Sauce”, “What Took You So Long”, “My Funny Valentine”, and “Polka Dots and Moonbeams”, all freshened classics from her jazz influences on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
Publicist: D. L. Media
