Upbeat and Sweet – Joe Bourne

This collection of hit songs from the middle of the 20^th Century is sure to tickle the nostalgic fancy of baby boomers. However, the jazz-infused arrangements and virtuosic instrumental solos will appeal to jazz and popular song fans of all ages.  Even as more jazz musicians are stretching the meaning of The Great American Songbook, to take hit ballads by one-name rockers like Sting, and Clapton and iconic bands like The Beatles, The Eagles and Steppenwolf and make them your own in a contemporary jazz context is not an easy feat. But Bourne accomplishes it with swinging, rocking and sometimes sambaing arrangements by bassist and producer Mike Levy

Bourne’s rock-solid delivery—no auto tuning here—harkens back to some of the great singers of the last century including Lou Rawls and Al Green, and Nat “King” Cole whom he celebrates on another recording. But he’s not channeling any other singer and or copying the original. What you hear on these 12 hit tunes, from the unlikely Captain and Tennille’s Muskrat Love, with a little muskrat scat, to the inevitable Jazzman closer by Carol King, is pure Joe Bourne supported by some of the best musicians in the West.

By: Yvonne Ervin, Executive Director, Jazz in January, Inc. and member of the Western Jazz Presenters Network


“…Featuring Jazz Drummer sensation, Lewis Nash, seasoned vocalist Joe Bourne and his warm voice turn pop and rock classics into jazz…!”