Vivian Sessoms - Life

2018 release. Life is a trans-generational document that manages to speak directly to this time on earth. All of the ingredients of a worldly mix of styles are present, with the groove and feeling of the church, the popular music of her time, and players that make it fresh. Led by Vivian and her husband, Chris Parks, Life features a diverse cast of musicians, beginning with her persistent collaborations with Saxophonist Casey Benjamin and Pianist Shedrick Mitchell and followed by appearances from Brandee Younger, Keyon Harrold, Donny McCaslin, and Gregoire Maret, among others. While there is no shortage of acclaimed musicians included in this project, it is clear Life is a labor of love, and not just titles. Ever present in the creation of this record is Chris Parks, Vivian's husband. Every recorded album is a document - a testament to life at a certain time, or perhaps in a series of times. It would be easy to state that Vivian Sessoms' voice is transcendent, but Life, the album, takes that voice and takes it higher; the songs on Life are for all of us, built of collaboration, of love, and of purpose.