Writing about Mary Stallings, The New York Times declared that "perhaps the best jazz singer singing today is a woman almost everybody seems to have missed." Bay Area jazz lovers chuckled ruefully over yet another blast of East Coast parochialism, long recognizing Ms. Stallings as a singular jazz treasure. Her talents were also recognized by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine, Count Basie, Cal Tjader, Ben Webster and Wes Montgomery, who all went out of their way to showcase this supremely soulful singer. For her latest HighNote outing, Bruce Barth occupies the piano bench and handles the arranging duties with Peter Washington and Kenny Washington rounding out the rhythm section. Mary herself requested the added tone color of Steve Nelson's vibes, Freddie Hendrix's trumpet and the latin percussion of the irrepressible Ray Mantilla. So here again is Mary Stallings, enjoying her recording resurgence, singing with such confidence, poise and authority that every tune feels like a custom-tailored garment expertly made for her fine-grained tone, relaxed phrasing and supple sense of swing.

MARY STALLINGS, vocals
Bruce Barth, piano • Steve Nelson, vibes • Freddie Hendrix, trumpet • Ray Mantilla, percussion • Peter Washington, bass • Kenny Washington, drums

TRACKS: Close Your Eyes • Try a Little Tenderness introducing Girl Talk • Li'l Darling • I Want to Talk About You • Feeling Good • Reflections • Night in Tunisia • Monk's Dream • Afro Blue • You Send Me • Yesterdays

 Close Your Eyes

 Afro Blue

 I Want to Talk About You

 Night in Tunisia