For those unaware, Alexis Parsons is a New York City based vocalist of Greek and Swedish decent.

She has spent a lifetime honing a uniquely personal vocal style and fiercely independent career.

Indeed, the long and often arduous journey through the years has stamped her rich alto voice with warmth, wisdom and a flexibility borne of the eclectic musical roads she’s traveled.

During the past two decades, Alexis has led a variety of bands, showcasing her distinctive interpretations of both standard and lesser-known works in the jazz canon.

As a bandleader, she has shown exceptional skill and a discerning ear in selecting accompanists. Her trios have included a host of celebrated artists, including pianists Frank Kimbrough, Arturo O’Farrill, David Berkman, and Lynn Arriale among others.

Manning the bass have been top call performers such as Jonathan Gilley, Drew Gress, Dean Johnson, Cameron Brown and Sean Smith. And behind the drums, Matt Wilson and Willard Dyson have provided swinging and sensitive grooves.

Alexis graduated from the Manhattan School of Music and all that and oh-so much more comes to the musical fore on her brand new album, the self-titled Alexis (due out October 1st, 2021).

1. Easy to Love*
2. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was*
3. Make It Last*
4. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most*
5. Organ Grinder+
6. Devil May Care*
7. Summertime+
8. Speak Low+
9. Gentle Rain+
10. Weaver of Dreams+
11. In the Still of the Night*

Having been one of the more unique voices on the New York jazz scene for more than two decades, Alexis opens this delightfully delicious new album with Cole Porter’s lusciously delectable Easy to Love and her dulcet rendition of Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers-written I Didn’t Know What Time It Was and backs them up seamlessly with the cultured Make It Last, changing vocal tact and subsequently fully inhabiting Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most, before bringing us the improvised feel of Franz Schubert’s Organ Grinder.

Next up is the gently vibrant affair of Devil May Care which is in turn followed by her atmospherically-charged version of Gershwin’s Summertime and then we get one of my own personal favorites here, the impassioned, warmly personal Speak Low, her fresh, captivating approach to Gentle Rain, the album rounding out with the emerging intimacy of Weaver of Dreams, coming to an all-too-soon close on the gorgeously intimate Cole Porter song In the Still of the Night.

Alexis Parsons, voice, with:
* David Berkman, piano; Drew Gress, bass; Matt Wilson, drums
+ Arturo O’Farrill, piano; Jonathan Gilley, bass; Willard Dyson, drums

Official Purchase Links

www.alexisparsons.com

Alexis Parsons @ Facebook