For those not in the know, recording artist, Nicolas Bearde’s silky baritone sound invites comparisons to Johnny Hartman, Lou Rawls, and Joe Williams, and his wit and engaging rapport captures and draws the audience into his live performances.

For the past thirty plus years, Bearde has made major marks in the world of jazz as an original member of Bobby McFerrin's innovative a cappella ensemble, "Voicestra", while carving out his own distinctive solo career.

With classic performances and innovative interpretations of jazz standards and blues, Bearde, and without a shadow of a doubt, is the definitive jazz romantic.

Bearde has released six albums to date, his debut in 1997 was Crossing the Line, his latest I Remember You: The Music of Nat King Cole out on August 30th, 2019, all via his own label, Right Groove Records.

Featuring special guest and sax great, Eric Alexander, the album rightly rose quickly to the Top 20 on the Jazz Week Charts, garnering rave reviews at both home and abroad.

1. 'I Remember You'
2. 'That Sunday, That Summer'
3. 'Funny (Not Much)'
4. 'Sweet Lorraine'
5. 'L-O-V-E'
6. 'Thou Swell'
7. 'The Rules of the Road'
8. 'Straighten Up and Fly Right'
9. 'Tenderly'
10. 'I Wish You Love'

Bearde gets things off on a smooth roll with the title track 'I Remember You,' and backs that up seamlessly with the gentle hipsway of 'That Sunday, That Summer' ("Newborn whippoorwills were calling from the hills Summer was a-coming in but fast"), the beautiful, if not heartbreaking 'Funny (Not Much),' and then both the lush 'Sweet Lorraine' and the silky 'L-O-V-E.'

The upbeat and excited show tune and jazz standard 'Thou Swell' is then followed by the laid back, late night sway of 'The Rules of the Road,' and then one of my own personal favorites from the new album, the buoyant 'Straighten Up and Fly Right' (originally performed by The King Cole Trio).

This quite beautifully crafted and heartfelt album then rounds out with a supple rendition of 'Tenderly,' and then comes to a close with the effortless balladry found within 'I Wish You Love' ("Goodbye, no use leading with our chins, this is where our story ends").

Official CD Purchase Link