Bill Kirchner’s latest CD is Everything I Love. The instrumentation is his soprano saxophone, Eddie Monteiro’s accordion and Ron Vincent’s drums and percussion. Monteiro equips his instrument with MIDI ( musical instrument digital interface), making it possible for him to sound like a string section, which he does sparingly and in impeccable taste. The effect, combined with Vincent’s variegated drumming, allows Kirchner to achieve a floating feeling, as if he were playing among clouds. Additionally, Monteiro vocalizes in unison with his accordion lines, often giving his solos an ethereal quality. And yet, for all its eclecticism, the music is, most satisfyingly, jazz.
The album includes the gorgeous Cal Tjader waltz “Liz Anne,” which is rarely played these days; “Aquamarine” ( “Body and Soul” in a new guise); a daring and intriguing tribute to the late Steve Lacy by Kirchner playing four overdubbed soprano saxes; Kirchner’s beautifully phrased reading of the title tune; and Toninho Horta’s “Beijo Partido,” nicely sung by Monteiro.
The CD has a lovely and welcome surprise, two vocals by the enchanting Jackie Cain, recording for the first time since the death of her husband and partner Roy Kral. A great ballad artist, she sings two pieces by Kirchner, “Try to Understand,” with lyrics by Jay Leonhart, and “I Almost Said Goodbye,” with lyrics by Loonis McGlohon. The return of Ms. Cain is an event to be celebrated. That it happens in such eminently suitable surrounding is a bonus.
The CD booklet is informative, with good pictures of the artists and a vintage cover photograph that is wildly at odds with the music and extremely funny.