New York Moment - Vinyl

New York Moment, which is about the New York City lifestyle, its challenges, and the great moments when everything works out perfectly, features J.C. Hopkins’ originals and the arrangements of tenor-saxophonist Drew Vandewinkle for the spirited group. Featured in key spots are five singers. Nico Sarbanes, who is also an excellent trumpeter, is in the spotlight on the uptempo “We Can Change The World” and “Lulu” (taking a particularly memorable trumpet solo on the latter), and sharing the vocals with Joy Hanson in winning style on the love song “Beguiled” and “What Would You Say.” Ms. Hanson is also heard on the quietly sensuous “The Wonderful Things To Come” and the ballad “Close Your Eyes.”  Vanisha Gould adds to the New Orleans party atmosphere of “One Of Those Days” with her jubilant singing and puts plenty of honest emotion into “Sublime Beauty.” Shawn Whitehorn uplifts the medium-tempo love song “Oh, Kitty” while Alicyn Yaffee excels on the lowdown blues “The Children Will Lead Us.” The Biggish Band also has its opportunities to be featured throughout the diverse material with an instrumental version of Charles Mingus’ “Better Git It In Your Soul” having some joyfully wild ensembles and passionate playing by altoist Julian Pressley.