Lara Solnicki, Whose Shadow

Lara Solnicki

Lara Solnicki came to my attention when she was co-hosting a seminar of sorts at Musideum here in Toronto. Lara was classically trained, yet extremely versatile. Possessed with an incredible range, gloriously controlled pitch and an uncanny ability to make each and every song her own. A poetess, she weaves the lyrics into a story that transports you away with her evocative voice.

I was particularly excited about the release of her sophomore Jazz CD, Whose Shadow.

Whose Shadow is an interesting CD as it's not your traditional Jazz recording. Lara, despite a back up band of stellar Jazz proportions, mixes genres to create something new and wonderful. Accompanying Lara on Whose Shadow are Mark Kieswetter on keys, Ted Quinlan on guitar, George Koller on bass , Nick Fraser on drums, John Johnson on Sax, flute and Bass clarinet, Lina Allemano on trumpet, Ernie Tollar on Bansuri Flute and Davide DiRenzo on percussion. Wow! When this group of musicians has been pulled together, you have pretty high expectations. What you don't expect is the new frontiers they embarked on in Whose Shadow. 

Produced by George Koller, arrangements by Lara Solnicki, Mark Kieswetter and George, Whose Shadow is a mix of jazzed up pop ( from artists as varied as Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell and Peter Gabriel), originals written by Lara and classical Ravel. Lara scats, echoes flute, and everything in between. La Flute Enchantee, my favourite track, is hauntingly beautiful and a perfect example of how genres are just labels waiting to be shattered.  Jim the Dancer, a poem of Lara's brought to lyrical life, is a wonderful example of the genius behind this incredible voice. Mercy Street and A Timeless Place (The Peacocks), are immediately recognizable, yet fresh and new. Jill and Chloe, a simple story of Lara's mother and pet dog, is anything but simple emotionally, and I'll Remember April has been getting a considerable amount of airplay, rightfully so.

Lara is adept at manipulating her voice and cadence to create a perfect fit for the mood of a song, and the incredible group of musicians backing her are equally as gifted. Whose Shadow has become a personal favourite in a very short time. 

Brava!