Jazz diva's CD takes her to the Promised Land

Singer Joan Davis' new CD is called Promiseland and for Joan it must be like reaching her own promised land. It is magnificent, the Joan Davis album we have all been waiting for. It is a beautiful piece of work, by far the best representation yet of what Joan is all about. Promiseland is a true jazz album and vastly different to the multitude of female singer-led albums that fill up jazz sections these days.

This lady sings the jazz African-American style, with the reference points being Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughan, and Carmen McRae. It is earthy and improvisational with a dedication to social good that is culturally characteristic and very refreshing. Promiseland, and Joan's music in general, is generous and communal; this is not a diva with her backing band, it is a musical unit of equals and, man, what equals these players are.
Everyone has lots of space and they flourish in it. Tony Kofi, who this year is finally beginning to break into the UK consciousness as one of its most skilled and profound saxophonists, is stunning throughout. He plays mostly soprano, alto on two tunes, baritone on one. His playing is consistently inventive with a burning soulfulness that exceeds his comprehensive technique.

Winston Clifford on drums is an unstoppable force. Light, yet incredibly propulsive, he plays a lot without it ever seeming busy. Bassist Larry Bartley is a revelation, someone I hadn't heard before but hope to hear again, and again. He grooves on double bass like Motown legend James Jamerson did on electric. That is, he plays jazz without losing sight of the rhythm of the song.

I would say I'm leaving the best for last, but it would be wrong to put any one of these brilliant musicians in front of the others. Nevertheless, pianist Anders Olinder just plays out of his skin on this one. Anders isn't difficult to miss around Avon; he seems to be everyone's favourite keyboardist, and we can see why. He always picks up on everything going on around him and plays to it; he is on everyone's wavelength. On Promiseland he does all that and more with a series of standout piano solos.

Joan sounds great and sings great. Here, properly presented, Joan's voice has a depth and fluidity that is both lovely and impressive. She swoops and soars with accuracy, but the centre of her voice is lower midrange and here it has a resonance and texture that Carmen McRae would envy. It is clearly her album; she sets the tone and style and it is fertile ground for all.

The songs are standout too: a combination of Joan's originals, jazz songs by Horace Silver, Betty Carter and Ellington-Strayhorn, and a couple of rare Broadway numbers that don't sound it. Joan's songs, particularly `Warm and Tender' and `Ritual', are among the best things on the album. The album is gorgeously recorded and comes in a beautiful sleeve, but best of all is the music inside, soulful and true jazz that is all too rare.

Charley Dunlap

But what matters most is that she can deliver any song she chooses with power and conviction, and any opportunity to see her performing has to be a treat for the ears. When Joan steps out, you can bet there'll be a well satisfied audience somewhere

Venue listings – same issue

Joan Davis (aka the Diva of Bath) is one of the treasures of Venueland, with a vocal range and power that makes almost any music her own. In performance she can take on jazz and soul and be completely convincing (and occasionally jaw-droppingly staggering).
In a career that spans the pond, she has worked with Gil Scott Heron and Bobby McFerrin (among others) and appeared at Ronnie Scott's.
Settled in the UK for over 20 years, she divides her time between performing, songwriting, academic musical research and running vocal workshops. Come and enjoy!