Swiss singer-pianist Elsie Bianchi may not be a household name, but from the early 1950s through the 60’s she was one of the best jazz singers in Europe. Her sensuous voice and hip phrasing has shades of Anita O’Day. Elsie first gained fame through her appearances at the Zurich Jazz Festival in the early 50’s. Elsie and husband bassist Siro Bianchi toured the USA in 1958-59, playing at the legendary Lighthouse jazz club south of LA. She and Siro then began playing winters in Europe and summers in America before permanently moving to the States. Siro and MPS ‘house drummer’ Charly Antolini make it a tight trio. The standards Teach Me Tonight and Falling in Love show off Bianchi’s sophisticated voice and relaxed piano play, along with some impressive scatting. Elsie sticks to piano on the up tempo Latin Little Bird. There’s the comfortable swing of A Sleepin’ Bee, Mancini’s atmospheric waltz the Shadows of Paris, a jazzy instrumental on Fiddler On The Roof, and the title tune, an up-tempo piece of hopeful love. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most is an evocative instrumental ballad. Jobim’s Meditation brings on the bossa groove, and Elsie croons the heart-felt ballad Why Did I Choose You. Little Blues features the composer on piano and the trio in a shuffle groove. The ballad Guess Who I Saw Today tells the story of love betrayed.
