Search - Toni Harper, Mary Paich, Art Pepper :: Lady Lonely & Night Mood

After the novelty experience of a child vocalist piping her way to fame with Candy Store Blues in 1948, Toni Harper grew up into a singer with a warm, polished voice, and the taste to phrase sensitively and authoritatively. The two excellent albums on this set, Lady Lonely and "Night Mood," were a rewarding showcase for the adult Miss Harper, whose cool approach to a series of low-key ballads and easy, swinging touch on the up-tempo songs reveal a singer with more than a fine appreciation of jazz feeling. For a vocalist with such jazz and pop affinities and a repertoire of attractive originals and superior standards, the great arranger- conductor Marty Paich was ideal. Using groups with strings, horns and woodwinds, and others with reeds and brass, he featured the artistry of Art Pepper, Bud Shank and Jack Sheldon three of his favorite jazz soloists and first class rhythm sections, with results that are a must for anyone with a taste for great scoring, fine playing and equally assured singing.