Reviewed by Vivian Fields
Kinderjazz/The One for Me
Spring is here, and so is the bright, bouncy, and buoyant new album from Kinderjazz. Let the sunshine in because that’s what Kinderjazz is all about. As hinted by their name, Kinderjazz are a kid-friendly Big Band from Australia. The group has numerous members - enough to crowd a house, that’s for sure - that are highly skilled musicians performing music which will appeal to the child in anyone. Because they are aiming for the kiddie market, they might not be taken as seriously, most likely unfairly dismissed as a novelty act. No, not at all. Kinderjazz are simply taking styles of music often targeted towards grown-ups and wrapping them up in the most delectable bubblegum.
The One for Me consists of original material that may sound like songs from more than 40 years ago. Again, the difference is Kinderjazz’s approach, producing tunes that tykes can boogie to without the influence of purple dinosaurs. “Kinderjazz” and “That’s Fine” steal our hearts from the very beginning, percolating with giddy Latin rhythms; I love how the former runs into a smashing, crashing conclusion. The energy on The One for Me will leave you - and your children - breathless. The band never seems to tire, leaping from swing to jazz to funk with the open-minded and wild imaginations of - guess what? - kids.
By Al Coleman, Jr.
Kinderjazz/The One for Me
There should be no boundaries to jazz.
It needs to adapt and continue to grow, not forgetting its roots but not bound by them, either. The Australia-based Kinderjazz symbolize the past and future of the genre, respectful of their swing ancestry but unafraid to play in the sandbox. Before you reject Jazz Kings for praising “children’s music,” take note that Kinderjazz are not delivering you canned music or covers; these are new songs with the flavors of old, performed with unbreakable joy and impressive technical skill. There should be a sticker on the CD which flatly states, “Contains no cheese.”
Like to dance? So do Kinderjazz. “Orange Pear Samba” and “That’s Fine” burst with boisterous Latin beats and jubilant saxophones and trumpets. The production is so clear and finely tuned that Kinderjazz sounds like they are partying in your bedroom, which is something all of you will be wishing for once the record has done spinning. Vocalist Debra Dicembre is really fetching, a bundle of unrestrained happiness on “Before I Go Inside” but seductively sad on “Playtime Blues.”