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As jazz history continues to grow, more than likely there will be those who will point to the emergence of college level jazz education as one of the more defining characteristics that has come to differentiate early jazz from modern jazz. Certainly the music has changed, but even more so, the atmosphere and attitude of jazz has changed considerably. Jazz used to be a music for outsiders who existed within, or very near, the criminal world. It was music for terminal hipsters who scoffed at the squares and their law abiding mundane existence. My how times have changed, these days squares are studying altered chords and metric modulation at Berklee while taking sax lessons from a major NYC star via skype along side their internet bros in Europe who are working on government grants to keep their free jazz quartet afloat. If all this collegiate endeavor leaves you a little thirsty for some soul, then you can take solace in knowing that there are still a few hep cats around who still have that ‘attitude’, that thing that Dizzy personified, that thing called cool.
“Project 88” is the title of Betty Bryant’s new CD, and the 88 refers not only to the 88 keys on her piano, but also to the fact that she just turned 88. Betty’s career in jazz goes back to the aforementioned ‘bad’ ole days, and it shows in very good ways. Its in her relaxed vocal delivery, her clever lyrics and her bluesy piano riffs, this is a woman who gets cool in every sense of the word, and she knows how to convey this attractive point of view to us squares who want just a bit of her hipness to rub off. “Project 88” sets off an atmosphere that can not be faked and is becoming rarer by the day.
Betty presents a mix of originals and standards on here. The prevalent style is bluesy swing, but there is a bit of soul jazz and a couple Latin numbers too. She sings on almost every one, but also includes a few instrumentals so as to showcase her signature piano skills that reflect her Kansas City background and Count Basie influence. The make-up of her band varies per track, but possibly the best treat is a couple of songs recorded with a mini big band ensemble.