Rita Reys

[Hardbopjazz]

Who is she? I came across a Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers session with her on vocals. I have never heard of her before.

[Guest ariceffron]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU "CAME ACROSS"??? DID YOU GET IT? IS IT A PROMO COPY OR A REAL COMMERICAL LP? THAT RECORD IS PRETTY RARE, ISNT IT? HANKS ON THAT--- ITS PRETTY OBSCURE I KNOW FOR SOME REASON BUT CAN SOMEONE GIVE MORE INFO>>>>>>

[jazzbo]

A longstanding Dutch singer. Her website:

http://www.geocities.com/ritareys/

Fontana put that session with Bu out on cd about eight or so years ago. . . interesting.

[etherbored]

she also has a choice date w/ oliver nelson on philips (from '65)!

-e-

[Dave James]

I have that Rita Reys CD. Got it from Dusty Groove several years ago. It's called "The Cool Voice of Rita Reys" and it does feature Hank on about half the cuts. IMO, good but not essential stuff. I may be wrong, but I think Ms. Reys sings phonetically, i.e. she doesn't speak English.

Up over and out.

Edited March 4, 2005 by Dave James

[Hardbopjazz]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU "CAME ACROSS"??? DID YOU GET IT? IS IT A PROMO COPY OR A REAL COMMERICAL LP? THAT RECORD IS PRETTY RARE, ISNT IT? HANKS ON THAT--- ITS PRETTY OBSCURE I KNOW FOR SOME REASON BUT CAN SOMEONE GIVE MORE INFO>>>>>>

Tower Records has it as an import. I ordered it, but don't know if I'll end up getting it.

[couw]

learn Dutch and read some on the site Lon posted

she was married to Pim Jacobs (d. 1996), who played piano with his brother Ruud on bass. Their work, especially that with Rita, has been re-evaluated in recent years and lifted out of the dimly lit regions into those of grand cultural achievement. Both assessments are a bit exaggerated. This is nice stuff for those with an open ear for non-US jazz. Pim was a dandy player, just like his brother. Rita is a nice singer who did some grand things.

[etherbored]

...and pim has some dandy records of his own...!

-e-

[Dave James]

I'm at home now. Here's the scoop on the Rita Reys album under discussion. It is called The Cool Voice of Rita Reys. 12 tunes, six with the Wessel Ilcken Combo and six with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, but two different iterations of same. The first. recorded in May and June of 1956 features addition to A.B., Hank Mobley, Donald Byrd, Horace Silver and Doug Watkins. The second, also recorded in June, substitutes Ira Sullivan for Mobley, Kenny Drew for Silver and Wilbur Ware for Watkins. The Mobley/Silver group performs: You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, Taking a Chance on Love, I Cried For You and That Old Black Magic. The Sullivan/Drew unit weighs in with My One and Only Love and Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year.

Up over and out.