For those unaware, those of you looking for a shining new record from an exciting new voice in jazz are in luck: Kieran Brown’s debut has finally hit the scene. Kieran Brown is a force.

By sixteen years old, she was singing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden, and by seventeen, she had cemented herself a spot at a prestigious undergraduate jazz program.

Since moving to New York in 2023, she has performed at some of the best-known clubs on the New York Jazz scene. Jazz at the Ballroom Artistic Director Konrad Paszkudski said about Brown: “the future of jazz and the American Songbook lies in the hands of this incredibly talented artist.”

This album proves him right.

The songs Brown has selected for her debut are pulled from a rich history of classics that she makes her own. American Songbook Association Magazine cited her as a “performer who can present skillfully contrasting styles,” and this album is a fantastic representation of that mastery.

Stand outs on the album are Joe Block’s arrangement of Mandal and Mercer’s “Emily,” Brown’s own arrangement of the title track “Loving You” by Stephen Sondheim, and Aaron Matson’s arrangement of Burt Bacharach’s “Alfie.” These arrangements perfectly capture Brown’s diverse musical and vocal range, going from American Songbook to contemporary and folk.

1. You’re Gonna Hear From Me [3:27]
2. Do It Again [3:17]
3. Emily [4:13]
4. Meditation [5:06]
5. I’ll Love You Just The Same [3:20]
6. Alfie [5:33]
7. Little Bits of Magic [4:16]
8. Loving You [4:10]
9. Hallelujah, I Love Him So [4:33]
10. Somewhere [3:47]

On what is a beautifully crafted, soulful and melodious new recording, she Kieran opens it with the playfully flirtatious André Previn and Dory Previn-written You’re Gonna Hear From Me and the low slung beauty Do It Again and then we get the breathy balladry of Emily, the dulcet finger-snapper Meditation, before the sumptuous I’ll Love You Just The Same is brought forth.

Along next is a dutifully sultry Alfie which is itself followed by the heartfelt Little Bits of Magic, the emboldened duet with Nathan Farrell of the titular Loving You, the set rounding out on the percussion-fed Hallelujah, I Love Him So, coming to an all too soon close on a simply enrapturing version of Somewhere.

Brown has surrounded herself with instrumentalists and arrangers with as deep a breadth of musicianship as she. Outside of Brown’s own arrangements, the album features string arrangements by Joe Block, a renowned pianist in his own right, who has arranged for the likes of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Overton, and the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Featured tenor soloist and Grammy award winner Chris Lewis boasts an expansive jazz background, playing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Internationally recognized artist Tony Glausi, celebrated as one of the most accomplished trumpet players on the planet, has performed with the United States Marine Corp All-Star Jazz Band and more, before lending his talents to this record.

However, the true beauty in this ensemble is the fresh new musicians Brown brings along with her, including rhythm section leader and pianist Tyler Henderson and bassist Joseph Raneri. The majority of musicians on Brown’s debut are coming up in New York City as well. There’s a freshness to the energy they bring to the record, a vibrancy that can only be found amongst this younger generation, hungry to keep this music alive.

Musicians:
Kieran Brown - Vocals (Tracks 1-10); Tyler Henderson - Piano (Tracks 1-10); Joey Ranieri - Bass (Tracks 1-6, 8, 9); Joe Peri - Drums (Tracks 1-7, 8, 9); Aaron Matson - Guitar (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7); Jarien Jamanila - Alto (Tracks 1, 2); Chris Lewis - Tenor (Tracks 1, 2, 4); Tony Glausi - Trumpet (Tracks 1, 2, 9); Jacob Melsha - Trombone (Tracks 1, 2); Isabella Geis - Violin 1 (Track 3); Emma Richman - Violin 2 (Track 3); Cameren Williams - Viola (Track 3); Iona Batchelder - Cello (Tracks 3, 10); Eytan Schillinger-Hyman - Electric Bass (Track 7) Nathan Farrell - Vocals (Track 8); Joe Block - Arrangements (Tracks 3, 10); Aaron Matson - Arrangements (Tracks 1, 2, 6); Kieran Brown - Arrangements (Tracks 4-9)

Official Purchase Link

www.kieranbrownmusic.com