Judy Wexler's "Dreams & Shadows" on the Jazzed Media record label.

"Dreams & Shadows" debuted on the national jazz radio (JazzWeek) chart at #2 the week it was released, March 13, 2008

Listen to Judy's NPR Weekend Edition interview with Susan Stamberg:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88756094

All Music Guide (4.5 Stars)
“Rare is the jazz vocal CD that makes one stand up and take notice on the first hearing. But Judy Wexler achieves that reaction with her brilliant Dreams & Shadows, in part due to her instinctive ability to bring out the best in each song, often taking it into unfamiliar territory… Judy Wexler deserves widespread recognition for her outstanding CD.”
— Ken Dryden

JazzTimes
“So refreshingly good, so fundamentally gifted is Judy Wexler… now, with this exalted follow-up to 2005’s superb Easy on the Heart, Wexler proves she’s ready to join the top rank of female jazz vocalists. — Christopher Loudon

Dreams_And_Shadows-MASTER REF

Don't Be On the Outside

One Less Bell to Answer

Pent Up House

If I Only Had a Brain

"Easy on the Heart" by Judy Wexler. Released March, 2005 on Rhombus Records. Arranged by Alan Pasqua, with Alan Pasqua, Darek Oles, Tim Pleasant, Bob Sheppard, Steve Campos

"The most focused, unpretentious, no-nonsense, bop-oriented jazz singer around." JAZZTIMES

Easy On The Heart

Tell Him I Said Hello

In My Life

JazzTimes by Christopher Loudon
"Though Judy Wexler’s reputation as one of the West Coast’s most compelling vocalists was cemented some time ago, What I See, her fourth release, suggests a heightened maturity, an even greater sense of assured imagination. Much like Abbey Lincoln—and at this point in Wexler’s musical progress, the comparison is quite valid—her skills as an actress are skillfully exercised, adding vivid shadings to her interpretations. Consider, for example, her opener, King Pleasure’s “Tomorrow Is Another Day,” its optimistic promise underscored by a cautionary hint of trepidation."

All About Jazz by Dan Bilawsky
"Vocalist Judy Wexler is more than a mere singer of songs. She’s an actress, mood painter, song archaeologist and vocalist par excellence, and those designations shouldn’t be taken as independent virtues; they all merge in her marvelous musical pursuits.

What I See is Wexler’s fourth album, but it only took two—Easy On The Heart (Rhombus Records, 2005) and Dreams & Shadows (Jazzed Media, 2008)— to establish her as one of the most highly respected vocal artists on the West Coast. She furthered her sterling reputation with the all-encompassing Under A Painted Sky (Jazzed Media, 2011), and she’s likely to do the same with this one; it’s a real beaut.

What I See finds Wexler covering a lot of ground again, as she moves from Benny Carter to John Williams to King Pleasure. She’s in familiar company, working with some longtime colleagues like multi-reedist Bob Sheppard, drummer Steve Hass and pianist/arranger Jeff Colella, but she continually avoids the familiar in all other aspects of her work; she doesn’t radically reinterpret anything or purposely pounce on never-before-heard numbers, but she also doesn’t tread over well-worn ground.

Wexler kicks off the album with a comfortably swinging take on Pleasure’s “Tomorrow Is Another Day.” Her reading of this better-things-are-on-the-horizon statement is neither depressed nor sunny; it’s matter-of-factly honest about the topic at hand. A similar sense of clarity and truthfulness shines through on every number. Wexler’s acting credentials no doubt help her in this regard, but it never sounds like she’s acting. When Judy Wexler sings a song, it becomes her song and her story, period. She’s more than convincing on “Convince Me,” a slow jam-of-a-song if ever there was one, and her voice rises to the occasion on “The Moon Is Made Of Gold.” The mere mention of spring—on “They Say It’s Spring” and “Just For Now”—brings a blooming quality to her voice, and she carries “Follow” forward in her own inimitable fashion.

The A-list musicians that join Wexler on this journey also do their part to make this a magical listen. Sheppard is ever-impressive, delivering the goods on bass clarinet (“Tomorrow Is Another Day”) and adding warmth with his alto flute (“A Certain Sadness”), and Ron Stout adds a touch of brass beauty to the proceedings (“The Moon Is Made Of Gold”). Colella and guitarist Larry Koonse match Wexler in the sensitivity department and prove to be the instrumental MVPs on the project.

What I See, much like Wexler’s prior album, is a marvel of sincerity and beauty."

06 The Long Goodbye

05 A Certain Sadness

04 They Say It's Spring

03 Convince Me

JazzTimes by Christopher Loudon
"Though Judy Wexler’s reputation as one of the West Coast’s most compelling vocalists was cemented some time ago, What I See, her fourth release, suggests a heightened maturity, an even greater sense of assured imagination. Much like Abbey Lincoln—and at this point in Wexler’s musical progress, the comparison is quite valid—her skills as an actress are skillfully exercised, adding vivid shadings to her interpretations."

All About Jazz by Dan Bilawsky
"Vocalist Judy Wexler is more than a mere singer of songs. She’s an actress, mood painter, song archaeologist and vocalist par excellence, and those designations shouldn’t be taken as independent virtues; they all merge in her marvelous musical pursuits... What I See, much like Wexler’s prior album, is a marvel of sincerity and beauty."

Judy Wexler

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