Home » Jazz Musicians » Christy Bennett
Christy Bennett
Chicago singer Christy Bennett has been influenced by and performed the work other share of jazz legends, but her specialty is uncovering the gifts of lesser known songwriters, especially women. On her new album, Good Morning Heartache: the Music of Irene Higginbotham, she explores the work of an overlooked ‘40s composer (nice of the great swing trombonist J.C. Higginbotham) who is perhaps best known for her work with Billie Holiday but also wrote songs recorded by Anita O’Day, Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee and Nat King Cole.
Tags
Christy Bennett's Fumee: Good Morning Heartache: The Music of Irene Higginbotham
by Jerome Wilson
Vocalist Christy Bennett has made a specialty of unearthing the work of forgotten songwriters from the past, particularly women. That has led to this album where she presents ten songs written by Irene Higginbotham, a jazz composer active in the '40s. Higginbotham's name is not well known today but a couple of her songs are; “This Will Make You Laugh" was a popular tune for Nat King Cole and “Good Morning Heartache" has been sung by many people, ...
read moreChristy Bennett's Fumee Gypsy Project: Lost Lyrics
by Jerome Wilson
Django Reinhardt's Gypsy-flavored jazz compositions have been played all over the world for decades. A few modern musicians have added words to his melodies but few know that some of Reinhardt's works were originally written with lyrics. Vocalist Christy Bennett has spent years tracking those lyrics down. This CD presents the results of her research, Reinhardt's tunes sung with the original words. This is one Django tribute that does not contain the guitar and violin chug of his ...
read more"Bennett's voice was sweet and supple, and her relaxed, soft-edge phrasing flowed with the relaxed confidence of a true jazz singer." Chicago Classical Review
"Bennett is able to change from chanson to chanteuse with aplomb." George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
"Bennett sings in French with a creamy soprano voice that rides beautifully over the swooning rhythms. " "As mesmerizing as the instrumental side of this project is, Bennett's singing puts it over the top. Her voice glides purely and effortlessly over the melodies. As enduring as Reinhardt's music has proven over the years, Christy Bennett singing it with French lyrics brings a new emotional depth." Jerome Wilson, All About Jazz
Duke Ellington
piano
Ella Fitzgerald
vocals
Billie Holiday
vocals
Django Reinhardt
guitar
