April Varner - April by April
Cellar Music, 2024
Young, confident and conservatory trained, New York City by way of Toledo, Ohio vocalist April Varner, takes the Big Apple by storm with her intelligently conceived Cellar Music Group debut, April by April. Varner takes full advantage of her given name and the myriad of jazz standards hosting it to produce this exciting collection of eleven springtime-inspired songs fully lightening T.S. Eliot’s cruelest month.
A finely curated band supports Varner, including guitarist Russell Malone, trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III (her mentor Theo Bleckmann also shows up) and saxophonist Dayna Stephens. Produced by Ulysses Owens, Jr., the complete product boasts a smoothly imagined whole assembled from a beautiful idea that fell into the principals’ laps.
Varner opens the disc with her original “April Blues,” which is perfectly in tune with the standards selected. Lyrics improvised on the spot, Varner takes control immediately, setting the creative tone of the recital. They play "I'll Remember April" with the full band treatment at a brisk tempo. She shares vocals with Benack, the two trading vocalese-inspired sections. We are in the presence of something special.
“April in Paris” proves a master class in ballad singing. Varner and pianist Caelan Cardello walk the edge of creative oblivion while spinning a beautiful and creative performance of this old song. April Varner gave us a glimpse of this on her self-produced EP Hummingbird (2024), but April by April arrives fully formed and ready to enjoy.