In the arena
of God given talents, it is apparent that Mindi Abair's were "super sized".
Talented, bright (graduating Magna Cum Laude) from the Berklee School of Music
in Boston, versatile, and as one male reviewer put it "eye candy", it
would seem that Mindi Abair has "it all". She grew up in a musical family;
her grandmother was an opera singer, and her father a professional saxophonist
keyboardist. Mindi was on the road with her father until the time she was five,
at which time she started learning to play keyboards, eventually picking up the
saxophone at age eight. She has come a long way from playing sax in her high school
marching band. A path that led her to share the stage with the likes of John Tesh,
the Backstreet Boys, Mandy Moore, and Jonathan Butler to name a few. Now, in 2003
Abair has burst onto the Smooth Jazz scene with an amazing debut album. She co
wrote all but one cut and displays her saxophone, keyboard and vocal talents throughout.
Produced by Matthew Hager (Mandy Moore, John Taylor) featured artists are Ricky
Peterson, Ty Stevens, and Lenny Castro, to name only a few of the amazing array
of talent collected for this terrific first CD. Perhaps you have already heard
Lucy's on your local Smooth Jazz station, if you enjoyed that sample of Abair's
music, buy this CD, you won't be disappointed. It is followed by equally entertaining
pieces like the positive and energetic As Good As it Gets, or the "Supertramp"
reminiscent Right On. Save Tonight spotlights Abair's vocal talents which are
simply those of a "generic girl singer", the kind of one hit wonder
that comes and goes quickly on top 40 stations. Having said that, the inclusion
of this cut simply serves to emphasize what a remarkably talented woman Abair
is. Undoubtedly, there will be those who will compare Abair with Candy Dulfer,
the "other" beautiful, blonde sax player, stylistically Abair comes
forward with a cleaner, more energetic product. Music in her genes, years of hard
work, and genuine talent make Mindy Abair a rising star to be watched. It just
happens that way. If you are smooth jazz sax fan, you need to buy this CD.
by Liz
Rivard April
- 2003
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