“Singer Stephanie Foos, who is at the beginning of her career, has released her debut recording, an EP titled Summertime. The CD consists of five very well-known songs, but this is not just a recreation of the past or a typical run-through of requests. Four of the five selections are duets with acoustic guitarist Marc Cooper while “The Nearness Of You”  is a collaboration with pianist Joey Curtin.

“Duets can be among the most difficult of settings because there is nowhere to hide, so the performers need a great deal of courage. At the same time, it is very important that close communication take place between the performers.  Stephanie Foos not only has an abundant amount of musical courage but she has a wonderful voice, a flexible style, and the ability to think quickly on her feet. The opening “Summertime” starts off out of tempo before becoming a swinger. Ms. Foos and Cooper constantly challenge each other, coming up with spontaneous ideas and mood changes. Stephanie’s scatting is very effective, she bends notes expertly and soulfully, and the guitar solos are quite inventive. This performance is full of surprises.

“On “Fly Me To The Moon,” Stephanie displays the beauty of her voice over Cooper’s doubletime rhythm. The results are quite joyful. The other three numbers, “The Girl From Ipanema” (which is heard in two versions), “Georgia On My Mind,” and “The Nearness Of You,” are also full of life and unexpected moments. There is nothing predictable about this music, nor any there any stretches where the performers are not stretching themselves.

“On the evidence of Summertime, her very impressive debut, Stephanie Foos should have a great future and has the potential to be an important force in jazz for years to come.”

~Review by Scott Yanow, Author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76

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