For those unaware, vocalist Lauren Henderson returns on her tenth leader date, Conjuring, due out April 21st, 2023 via Brontosaurus Records.

Like its predecessor, La Bruja, this new recording continues to incorporate themes of magic and mysticism throughout, specifically emphasizing the power of Black American Music and Afro-Latinx experiences.

Henderson, who identifies as a Black American with vast Caribbean and Afro-Latin roots, has dutifully upheld both Latin music and jazz traditions across her repertoire while carving distinct meaning into her very personal intersection of the two.

Henderson’s enchanting and fervent 10-track collection on Conjuring is supported by first-call accompanists, including Joel Ross on vibes, Eric Wheeler on bass and Joe Dyson on drums, while Gabe Schneider and Nick Tannura divide guitar duties as do pianists Sean Mason and John Chin, all of whom contributed to the lush sorcery on La Bruja and “expertly sustain the appealing Latin jazz-noir mood,” (Alex Henderson, New York City Jazz Record).

1. Spells
2. That Old Black Magic
3. Conjuring
4. Es Magia
5. Coercion
6. Day Dream
7. Potions
8. Amuleto
9. It’s Magic
10. I Wish You Love

This dulcetly-sculpted new recording opens on the lushly hushed tones that bring her original track Spells forth and the foot-tapping melodies within That Old Black Magic, and they are followed by the veritably glistening original title track Conjuring, the low slung textures within Es Magia and then comes the upright bass-led musical majesties of her original Coercion.

Henderson’s selection of reimagined standards next brings us the quietly playful, yet wholly seductive Day Dream and the layered rhythms and harmonies within one of my own personal favorites, Potions, and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the gentle Latin hipsway of Amuleto, the album rounding out on the luxuriant piano work found within the beautiful ballad It’s Magic, coming to a close on an incandescent I Wish You Love.

www.laurenhendersonmusic.com