It was quiet for a while around American jazz singer Gretchen Parlato. Her last album, the much-praised live recording
Live In NYC dates back to 2013. The reason is obvious, in the intervening years she had her first child with hubby, drummer
Mark Guiliana. The album Flor is her welcome return. More than ever, and inspired by her motherhood, she manages to link a warm feel-good atmosphere to the
… necessary depth. She does this with a minimal line-up of guitar, cello and percussion, but also gets assistance from prominent guests like percussionist Airto Moreira, pianist Gerald Clayton and Guiliana. Lightly dancing vocally through bossa novas and other pleasantly understated swinging pieces, she even scats on a piece from the Cello Suites by Bach. She can handle it all and understands the art of making it her own. (MR)more
