Ellen Honert Soars to Hummingville

Ellen Honert's sophomore CD, Hummingville gives the listener the next chapter in Honert's passage of musical explorations. Teaming up again with renowned Bay Area producer Frank Martin, Honert has co-penned six of the choice compositions and seven covers feature arrangements by Martin.

This is a delightfully breezy CD with diverse cultural appeal. Honert is an artist with a varied cultural background, growing up in the Netherlands and traveling with her parents to exotic places like Spain, Greece, France, North Africa and South America as a child. This background is reflected in each cut and deepens the overall experience.

"Hummingville" is a shining example of Honert's abilities; a swinging samba beat is the canvas upon which Honert transforms and ordinary picture into a beautiful work of art. Her voice is clear, rhythmically on target and filled with emotion. Honert is in control - fast sixteenth notes give way to long sustaining notes. The melody is stated and an interlude occurs with Honert singing syllables, this is great stuff - the listener cannot help but be absorbed.

"LePhare" is an evocative melody sung in French and shows the apparent chemistry between Martin & Honert. Martin is fluid and supportive; his fingers glide across the ivory keys. Honert again invokes the creativity of singing syllables, her precision is impeccable. Martin and Honert complement each other as Martin adds well placed fills until a second contrapuntal vocal line that builds the selection to fervor.

Hummingville is a well crafted offering. Martin and Honert have created a delightful and appealing musical contribution to the jazz and contemporary genre. The sound is international with a global appeal. Each cut has its own unique appeal, taking the listener of a journey of creativity, beauty and complexities.

Personnel: Ellen Honert (vocals), Frank Martin (piano and hammond organ), Jose Neto (guitar), Pedro Eustache (flute), John Peña (bass), Alex Acuña (drums and percussion).

Tracks: Hummingville, I Was Brought To My Senses, Storylines, Intro Life Talks, Life Talks, Here is Everything, Restless, Bridges, Intro Le Phare, Le Phare, Two Steps, Some Time Ago, Tall Trees.