Jazz

Renee Rosnes: Art & Soul

Heading the bill at Vicar Street with her trio on Saturday November 20th is pianist Rosnes, in splendid form on her latest album with husband Billy Drummond (drums) and bassist Scott Colley. It's probably her happiest, most lyrical yet; on it she consistently delves into a richly diverse range of pieces (Lennon/McCartney, Shorter, Ellington, Ornette Coleman, Bartok, Rosnes), responding sensitively and appositely to them, while remaining the dominant creative force on the album. Unfailingly and generously supportive, Colley and Drummond complete a trio so thoroughly integrated that an extra percussionist is comprehensively absorbed on a couple of tracks. A bonus is singer Dianne Reeves guesting on two more.

- Ray Comiskey

Stacey Kent: Let Yourself Go

Kent is a gorgeous example of the intimate art of jazz singing, with an almost conversational style and a gift for phrasing that gives a frisson to everything she does. This Fred Astaire tribute, her third album, is her finest yet; the material may not be quite as rewarding as that on Close Your Eyes or The Tender Trap, but it's nevertheless excellent and even more magisterially interpreted. Her accompanying sextet is superb, with brilliant regulars Jim Tomlinson (reeds), David Newton (piano), Colin Oxley (guitar), Steve Brown (drums) and Simon Thorpe (bass) - the group she will have sharing the bill at Vicar Street tomorrow week. A tasty surprise is in store for the uninitiated.

- Ray Comiskey