Blossom Dearie was no stranger to London audiences. Now after full house runs at New York's Birdland Jazz Club, this celebration of Blossom Dearie and her cohorts brings her memory back to one of her most favorite cities. Many of Blossom's songs evoke her love for London including "Hey John" a wink and smile to her favorite Beatle.
"No duo could be better suited to salute these diversely talented legends. Both Daryl Sherman and Jay Leonhart being instrumentalists, singers and songwriters also share their subjects' artistry, humor, plus individual mastery of interpretation. Bassist Jay Leonhart appears on many Blossom Dearie recordings and Daryl has recorded with Dave Frishberg. Daryl's distinctive singing and playing are clearly influenced by Blossom Dearie. No admirer of jazz and the American Songbook should miss Daryl Sherman and Jay Leonhart in this celebration of a very special musical and verbal legacy. Not to mention, they both swing!" - Dan Morgenstern, Director Emeritus Rutgers Institute Of Jazz Studies
"A pianist, singer, occasional songwriter and bandleader, Daryl Sherman is the living heir to the delightfully kooky, musically majestic Blossom Dearie. Whether being silly or sophisticated, doing a song from Fats Waller or Noel Coward, she's never less than thoroughly convincing". -Will Friedwald, CITIVIEW NEW YORK
Bassist Jay Leonhart has been privileged to play with the likes of Judy Garland, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Buddy Rich, Peggy Lee, Mel Torme, Marian McPartland, Sting, James Taylor, Louie Bellson, Luciano Pavoratti, and many more. One of the busiest recording studio bassists over the years, Jay has also been writing and singing his own individualistic songs about his life as a bass player. He appeared at last year's EFG London Jazz Festival with pianist Roy Gallon.
"Leonhart belongs to a breed of serious comic songwriter whose marquee names include Tom Lehrer, Dave Frishberg and his satirical observations have a softer bite." - Stephen Holden, New York Times