Personnel include: Renee Olstead (vocals); Peter Cincotti (vocals, piano); Dennis Budimir (guitar); Don Shelton (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Chris Botti, Rick Baptist (trumpet); Chris Dawson, Billy Childs (piano); Brian Bromberg (bass instrument); Joe LaBarbera, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums).
Recording information: Henson Studios, Hollywood, California (2004); Signet Sound, Los Angeles, California (2004); Westlake Audio, Hollywood, California (2004).
In a bold move that even more experienced singers might think twice about, Renee Olstead opens her self-titled major-label debut with a stark, a cappella verse of Gershwin's melancholy classic "Summertime." Olstead sings with confidence and swings with authority on this set of standards, an astonishing accomplishment for a young lady, who, at the time of this recording, was only 14 years old. Very little indicates that this album is the work of a teenager, and certain vocal touches even bring to mind the bold vocal style of K.D. Lang. The record features big-band arrangements with lush strings, punchy horns, and even a quasi-Swingle Singers backdrop on "On a Slow Boat to China." Chris Botti provides sexy trumpet obbligato on two numbers, and Peter Cincotti joins Olstead on a stellar duet of Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," rounding out a remarkable first outing by a notable talent.
