Three years ago, the Vintage Orchestra was born through the motivation of its members. Some are reference points at the music stand; others are formidable improvisers at the clubs. Together, they make up an ensemble of rare qualities. Their first album, consecrated to Thad Jones, besides being a love declaration to one of the great writers of the 60’s, is also a proof of mastery, a great example of their abilities.

From its earliest editions, the Isola Jazz festival, first held in 2005, has hosted innumerable exponents of international jazz, including the great drummer Bobby Durham, to whom the festival has been dedicated since 2009. This beautiful live performance — recorded in Italy, but by a group of musicians who record for Japan's Venus Records label — easily one of the classiest jazz imprints of the past decade or two! And as a further twist, a number of the artists here are American — which makes the whole thing a great trans-national performance, handled with energy to match.

Denise King is a singer whose naturally beautiful voice, vibrato and phrasing please musicians as well as fans. In the past 25 years, Ms King has sung at almost all of the top venues in Philadelphia, several in New York, Paris, Turkey, Brazil, Africa, Germany and Japan. This album for Venus Records was recorded in Italy with Massimo Farao' Trio. "Denise King sings pop and jazz standards with touches of the blues, soul and even gospel in a voice steeped in a sophisticated, swinging, sometimes soulful, satin style much like one of her idols, Sarah Vaughan".