Swingin'

On this set, Judy Barnett, a talented, always-swinging jazz singer, is backed by different instrumentation on most of the selections, including such guests as guitarist John Pizzarelli, Ken Peplowski on tenor and clarinet, trumpeter Bud Burridge, trombonist Mike Christianson, and a string quartet. Pianist Ted Kooshian provided the diverse arrangements. Barnett really digs into the lyrics of the songs, treating some as serious (and usually including the verses) and others as more lightweight, but still with charm. Among the songs she uplifts are "Just One of Those Things," "Begin the Beguine," Duke Ellington's "Azalea," "The Way You Look Tonight," an excellent version of "Willow Weep for Me," and "Where or When." She also does a close impression of Ella Fitzgerald on "You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)." Well worth checking out, Judy Barnett deserves to be better-known.