“…crisp arrangements with plenty of jazz meatiness to them…without overwhelming the Sondheim material at its core…. Samaras is simply a formidable talent with rich timbre, unfettered expressiveness and a broad emotional range.” – Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen
“Best jazz albums of 2014, honorable mention “– Francis Davis, NPR
Saxophonist and arranger Bobby Hsu‘s “A Sondheim Jazz Project” realizes Stephen Sondheim compositions as they’re rarely realized. Hsu’s motive: “I want to be Sondheim’s advocate in the jazz world, rather than appropriating the songs as mere source material.”
An ensemble of accomplished Canadian performers delivers something striking by re-imagining as jazz fourteen songs from eight Sondheim productions. The songs are what many critics and fans have come to admire: inspired in voice and temperament, with the unique perspective of a songwriter who sees the world differently . . . way differently, and Sondheim’s hallmark of intelligent quirkiness lends itself to a jazz sensibility.
No video, but a lovely rendition of Sondheim’s “So Many People”
Adrean Farrugia, piano
