Crossover Magazine

Armed with a clear and classical voice, Joyce DiDonato mixes Italian arias with jazz standards on this clear as Waterford crystal collection She teams with an impressive lineup arranged by pianist Craig Terry, which includes Chuck Israels/b, Jimmy Madison/dr, Lautaro Greco/band and Charlie Porter/tp-fh. Her enunciation of Italian gems such as “Tu Lo Sai” and “Vedro con mio Dioletto” is lovely and warm, glowing like a full moon. She does some rich intro work on “Lullaby of Birdland” before veering into a swing groove, and her delivery of “(I’m Afraid) The Masquerade is Over” is uptown styling. Porter’s horn adds atmosphere on Ellington’s “(In My) Solitude” with Greco’s bandoneon taking you to a lonely piazza during the show tune “Will He Like Me?” and lilting “Quella Fiamma.” Polished and shiny.