Chinchilla Serenade

Album Review

Ellen Johnson, a classically trained singer based in San Diego with a beautiful voice and a wide range, can hit notes so high that it makes one shiver; fortunately, she is always in tune. In addition to her classical background, Johnson is a fine improviser. Some selections find her accompanied by a trio led by pianist Rick Helzer, while a few other songs add guitarist Peter Sprague and several horn players. The repertoire is diverse and challenging, with the tunes including "Yesterdays," a very sensitive version of Thad Jones' "A Child Is Born," the swing standard "You Turned the Tables on Me," Jobim's "Someone to Light Up My Life" and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." Ellen Johnson, who wrote the title cut and co-composed "Goin' Home," asounds particularly passionate on Duke Ellington's "Freedom." An impressive outing from the very promising singer.