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Suzanne Grzanna - Fly Me to the Moon

Diva Records
SQ Issue:  Fall 2000 - Volume 10, Issue 4

Musicians:

Suzanne Grzanna:   saxophone and vocals; David Hazeltine:  Piano; Jeff Hamann:  Bass; Brian Ritter:  Drums

Suzanne Grzanna is indeed a triple threat.  A soulful saxophonist blessed with a sultry singing voice and incredible song writing ability. – press release.

You always want to puff up your credentials when you send out a press release.  However, it is a great day when you can back up what is said.

Grzanna’s second CD contains great standards as well as some solid original music.   You will find a smooth sound throughout the CD that has both danceable and not so danceable songs.  However, it is a solid musical achievement that should propel her into the national spotlight.

This Wisconsin native is backed by solid musicians.  Especially David Hazeltine.  Hazeltine’s outstanding piano is intertwined with excellent sax riffs by Grzanna.  Examples of this can be found in the John Coltrane tune Mr. PC as well as on Charlie Parker’s Now’s the Time.

You will enjoy dancing to All of Me, Now’s the Time, Capri and especially Fly Me to the Moon and Jazz and Me.  The latter two have wonderful riffs that give lots of interpretation to lindy hoppers who enjoy the slow to moderate tempos.

If you like Latin music you will be pleased as well.  As Time Goes By, Latin Nights and St. Thomas give you a trifecta of the Latin sound.  St. Thomas brought back lots of memories of the Carribean; sittin’ on the catamaran sippin’ that Barbados Rum punch!

I didn’t care for My Funny Valentine which at 5:20 seemed to go on forever.   It seemed long and boring.  However, this CD gives you plenty of stuff to make you forget this one.  This CD will please the jazz fans more than the traditional swing big band enthusiasts but it definitely has great stuff on it.  It has everything you want:  sexy vocals, outstanding musicianship, variety and danceable tunes.  Not to mention pictures of Grzanna that are easy on the eyes!

Bottom Line:  To buy or not to buy…..BUY!  Here’s how: