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Acclaimed jazz label Resonance Records issue the first albumby one of the most promising young jazz singers to emerge inyears: Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, known simply asTawanda. The Los Angeles-based vocalist, 26, sings in acloudless alto with a crystalline shimmer, effortless but unfussyjazz feeling, immaculate musicianship, and a maturity that fewof her contemporaries possess.
In June of 2021, Tawanda tied for first place with GabrielleCavassa in the 9th Annual Sarah Vaughan International JazzVocal Competition, held in Newark, New Jersey. (Thecompetition was originally slated to be held in 2020 but delayeddue to COVID. The winner of the 10th annual competition wasalso announced in 2021). Her performance - judged by a panelthat included singers Carmen Lundy and Vanessa Rubin andbassist Christian McBride - was all the more impressive giventhat Tawanda had performed her first full show just a yearbefore.
‘Smile’ was produced by Resonance founder and presidentGeorge Klabin. Resonance are renowned both for their deluxereissues of previously unreleased gems by Bill Evans, WesMontgomery, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, and other greats; andfor their new recordings by an impeccably chosen array ofveterans and newcomers.
On ‘Smile’, Tawanda gives even the most time-honoredstandards a freshness that makes them sound new. She alsofinds the jazz in tunes recorded by Sting (‘Sister Moon’), DonnyHathaway (‘Sack Full of Dreams’), and Maureen McGovern(‘Bring Back My Dreamer’). Lifting her even higher are theelegant piano-playing and arrangements of two members of theResonance family, Tamir Hendelman and Josh Nelson, both ofwhom have brought out the best in many a singer.
Singing is her contribution: “I’m always happily surprised whenfriends come to my shows and say, ‘Wow, I didn’t even knowabout jazz, and this was beautiful.” ‘Smile’ completes the firstchapter in the story of an artist whose work is easy to love.
Includes an 8-page booklet with essays by esteemed authorJames Gavin and producer George Klabin.
Tracklist
Smile/I'm All Smiles
Out of This World
Bridges
Sister Moon
What a Little Moonlight
Can Do
I'm Okay
A Child is Born
Lucky to Be Me
Sack Full of Dreams
Bring Back my Dreamer
You And the Night and the
Music
Smile - Outro (A Cappella)