Gretchen Parlato - Gretchen Parlato (2005)

With her self-released disc, Gretchen Parlato -- winner of the highly competitive Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition in 2004 -- charts an original and beautiful course.
Working with Lionel Loueke, whose wordless vocals and quiet, fingerpicked guitar stylings blend seamlessly with Parlato's voice, she demonstrates a mastery of Brazilian music on a pair of Jobim tunes.
Her vocal riff that opens "Skylark" sets the stage for one of the most appealing versions I've ever heard of that great Hoagy Carmichael song. Along with two tunes by Loueke, with an almost folk feeling, Parlato offers a highly rhythmic version of Bjork's "Come to Me", and puts lyrics to Wayne Shorter's "JuJu/Footprints".
Shorter, as enchanted with Parlato as the likes of Herbie Hancock and Flora Purim, says "There's no one like Gretchen out there." Having seen Parlato weave her understated magic with Loueke in the intimate 55 Bar in Greenwich Village, as well as heard this impressive debut CD, I certainly agree.