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Jazz Junction Review: INTRODUCING KATIE THIROUX – BassKat Records

Bassist and vocalist Katie Thiroux has released an attractive album that combines delightful repertoire and musicianship on this introductory recording. She was recipient of the Shelly Manne New Talent Award at age 17 and has won awards for bass and voice. She has attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and later received a Masters of Music at CSU Long Beach. She has performed with numerous prominent jazz artists and has worked at jazz festivals and venues in the Big Apple. In 2013, she formed The Katie Thiroux Quartet with guitarist Graham Dechter, saxophonist Roger Neumann and drummer Matt Witek. They work together frequently and this album really showcases the group well.

In essence, this recording is a lot of fun. It's mostly upbeat, mid-tempo music that avoids the trap of overwrought sentimentality and gets right to the joy of jazz, evidenced on tracks such as “Don't Be On The Outside” where she's plucking the bass while singing with a relaxed voice. Guitarist Dechter is a phenomenal player with great chops, tenor man Neumann adds a bit of traditional flair on the tenor saxophone and drummer Witek keeps the beat percolating. Four tracks are instrumentals and the group sets up some nice grooves in either vocal or instrumental context. One can almost imagine a Ray Brown session happening while listening to Thiroux's group and that says a lot for her bass playing - up front and on the job. Introducing Katie Thiroux is a captivating album that grows in appeal as one revisits this enjoyable session.

Personnel: Katie Thiroux – bass, vocals; Graham Dechter – guitar; Roger Neumann – tenor saoxphone; Matt Witek – drums.

Tracks: There's A Small Hotel; Don't Be On The Outside; A Beautiful Friendship; Wives And Lovers; I'm Old Fashioned; Ray's Kicks; The One I Love; RoseBird; Can't We Just Pretend?; Shiny Stockings; Oh What A Beautiful Morning

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