Review Text
Chosen as one of the Top Ten CDs of 2006 by Ken Dryden, Jazz Journalist Association; John Chacona, Jazz Journalist Association; Jon Garelick, The Boston Phoenix. Five Stars from Jazzman Magazine, France. Critically acclaimed vocalist Dominique Eade's long-awaited CD, "Open" with pianist Jed Wilson is Eade's first CD release since "The Long Way Home" was released on RCA Victor in 1999. On their new CD, "Open' (Jazz Project 3001), vocalist and composer Dominique Eade and pianist Jed Wilson perform unusual covers, rarely heard standards, and songs penned by Eade for the duo, including some brand new originals. Eade and Wilson met while Wilson was a student at New England Conservatory, where Eade has been on the faculty for twenty-two years. From the Liner Notes by Kevin Whitehead/NPR's Fresh Air: "...if you wanted to spotlight Eade's gifts, as a musician who's never sounded more in command of her glorious instrument, or as an interpreter who brings out the drama in a lyric without over-reaching, you could hardly do better." New Reviews of Open: 'This album of captivating minimalism is simply vocalist Dominique Eade and pianist Jed Wilson's accompaniment. Eade possesses a lovely, remarkably flexible voice. Her range is as impressive as her clarity, and she adds a fine interpretive gift to all these attributes. Eade composed seven of the album's 11 tunes, including 'Go Gently to the Water' and 'In My Secret Life,' both of which share a blues/ gospel vibe. In a different groove, take notice of excellence of 'Open Letter,' as well as the wistful mood of 'W.G.' -Philip Van Vleck -Billboard Magazine '...an exquisite set, start-to finish...With a lot of talent out there in the female vocalist field, this one stands out for it's honesty, intelligence and spare and unalloyed beauty.' -Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz 'Her fifth recording is both demanding and intimate, featuring duets with the promising young pianist Jed Wilson, who has a knack for providing just the perfect voicing to accompany Eade's expressive vocals, which sometimes incorporate sudden twists and leaps. Eade's adventurous spirit extends to her wide-ranging choice of material, ranging from a touching rendition of the bittersweet 'Never Let Me Go' to her playful interpretation of 'You Fascinate Me So' (which features a particularly inventive solo by Wilson) to Leonard Cohen's 'In My Secret Life' (a work suggested by her pianist, where Eade exhibits her potent lower and middle ranges). But the vocalist is also a superb composer, as demonstrated in her striking originals. The pastoral sound of 'Go Gently to the Water,' the quirky, infectious 'Series of One,' the demanding ballad 'W.G.' in which she hits high notes effortlessly and the upbeat love song 'Open Letter' leave a lasting impressions of a gifted vocalist and composer who is clearly deserving of wider exposure.' Ken Dryden, allmusic Recent Press "Her voice was rich and clear and strong in all ranges; she had musicianship and cool intelligence...she had absorbed some of Saran Vaughan's fearsome technique." Ben Ratliff, The New York Times, 2005 "I was fortunate to hear Dominique Eade in person during the last Jazz Times Convention in 1998. Someone needs to get this extremely talented vocalist into the studio for a record date. If you haven't picked up all of her CDs, do so before they become collector's items fetching high prices." Ken Dryden, All About Jazz, 2005 "Dominique Eade's shows last year in this same room...were among the best local jazz performances of 2005. Eade's singing was marvelous, whether singing actual words or applying her voice to instrumental lines. [Jed] Wilson's piano work, skilled and subtle, made plain why a guy so young has become Eade's duo partner of choice." Bill Beuttler, The Boston Globe, 2006 "The Boston-based vocalist recently came to town and introduced a handful of new, grippingly poetic tunes as well as very impressive pianist, Jed Wilson...she sings [them] with a voice that enjoys
