Staff Writer

With jazz singers so few and far between, Cassandra Wilson, with her second CD on the Blue Note label, "New Moon Daughter," is attempting to make a name for herself in a not-so popular industry.

On her latest CD, Wilson's five original songs, "Solomon Sang," "Find Him," "Until," "A Little Warm Death" and "Memphis" show a leap in her development as a songwriter and lyricist, adding to her growing reputation as one of the most accomplished jazz vocalist of her generation.

If you are listening in your car or cooking dinner, "New Moon Daughter" showcases Wilson's true vocal talents which is reassuring to the listener.

With her debut CD on Blue Note, "Blue Light 'til Dawn," Wilson was recognized as "Female Singer of the Year" in the 1994 and 1995 Down Beat Readers Poll.

Wilson was born to a musical family, her father was guitarist and bassist Herman Fowlkes. She studied the piano at age nine and began writing her own songs on guitar at age 12.

On "New Moon Daughter," Wilson is accompanied by guitarists Brandon Ross and Kevin Breit, bassist Lonnie Plazico, percussionist Cyro Baptista and drummer Dougie Bowne. With this musical blend, along with her vocal talent, this is a must-have CD for the jazz vocal enthusiast.

Although she has been compared to Ella Fitgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Betty Carter she has more of a Sade, on occasions Rachel Ferrell, style.

Wilson's singing along with writing her own songs, look for her to make an even bigger name for herself in the jazz vocalist industry.

Ethnic NewsWatch (c) SoftLine Information, Inc., Stamford, CT
Author: Johnson, Stephen B.
Publication Name: INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER, 03-23-96