“(on) the immortal Johnny Mandel standard Emily, composer and vocalist Pete McGuinness showcases some scatting as Bergeron lends more terrific solo moments in an intimate duet performance that would have made Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and pianist Bill Evans proud.”
-Ed Blanco, Allaboutjazz.com
BASS & FACE - PRESS QUOTES
“What a unique twist, to pair vocalists with a prolific bassist and record an entire album with the original instrument of voice aligned with Chuck Bergeron’s awesome double bass!”
“This album is stuffed with respected jazz vocalists.”
“Here is a wonderful celebration of bass and voice. It also shines a bright light on Chuck Bergeron’s exceptional talents as a bass master, both soloist and accompanist.”
-Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs Blog
“Not only does (Bergeron) deliver a rich baker’s dozen of duos, but he mixes and matches with a wide variety of singers, keeping the whole album filled with fun colors. Duet to me one more time!”
-George W Harris, Jazz Week
“Not only does (Bergeron) deliver a rich baker’s dozen of duos, but he mixes and matches with a wide variety of singers, keeping the whole album filled with fun colors. Duet to me one more time!”
-George W Harris, Jazz Week
“Some conversations don’t need words – sometimes one voice and four strings is enough.”
“The list of contributors reads like a chapter of American jazz history.”
“The amazing thing about these interpretations is their intimacy. When you listen, you can feel an extraordinary connection between the musicians. It is not based on spectacular arrangements or technical feats, but on trust.”
“Bass and Face is much more than a collection of great vocal interpretations. It is a tribute to the art of listening and to those quiet musical encounters in which two voices – one human and one of wood and strings – tell the same story.”
-Jacek Brun, Jazz-Fun
“Bass and Face is a record Bergeron has wanted to make for years. It sounds like it.”
“Janis Siegel opens with “An Occasional Man,” her mezzo-soprano rich and playful, the bass as much melody as foundation. “When I Drink” is quieter, more inward — she’s conversational, while Bergeron (is) lyrical and melodic on an instrument where that doesn’t come easy.”
“On John Lewis’s “Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West” (Mahogany’s) voice and the bass share the same warm timbre, and at one point his vocal imitates a single-note bass run until Bergeron has no choice but to join in.”
-Tim Larsen, Jazz Views
“Bassist Chuck Bergeron brings together standout vocalists for “Bass and Face,” a strikingly intimate jazz album of bass and voice duos that highlights vulnerability, precision and musical conversation at its purest.”
“When a musician like bassist Chuck Bergeron invites artists such as Janis Siegel from the legendary Manhattan Transfer, it becomes almost impossible not to pay attention. Bass and Face turns intimate Bass and Vocal duos into a Rare Jazz Experience.”
“An album built not on excess or production tricks, but on trust, intimacy and musical honesty. That is exactly what Bass and Face delivers, (and) the result is not merely successful - It is quietly astonishing.”
“What becomes striking as the album unfolds is its consistency. Not once does the quality dip. More importantly, the degree of risk involved in this project is immense. Bass and Face succeeds precisely because the artists involved embrace that danger rather than avoid it.”
“Bergeron deserves enormous credit not only for conceiving the idea, but for carrying it all the way to completion with such coherence and sensitivity.”
“Intimacy is perhaps the album’s greatest achievement. That makes Bergeron’s project not only musically daring, but structurally uncommon in today’s jazz landscape.”
“Bass and Face - an album of remarkable emotional depth, one that feels destined to leave a lasting mark on contemporary vocal jazz.”
“What lingers after the final track is not technical brilliance alone, although there is plenty of that. It is the sense of humanity running through the record, the simplicity, the vulnerability and the unmistakable love for music present in every performance.”
-Thierry De Clemensat, Jazz Journalists Association, Paris-Move, ABS magazine, Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
“Bergeron took on a unique project and the results are fascinating.”
-Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz
“(Chuck’s) new album, Bass & Face: Duets With 10 Premier Vocalists (Summit Records) has him in duet mode. Janis Siegel of Manhattan Transfer gets two tracks, one of which, “When I Drink,” is the absolute highlight.”
Mike Greenblatt, The Jersey Sound
“What a unique twist, to pair vocalists with a prolific bassist and record an entire album with the original instrument of voice aligned with Chuck Bergeron’s awesome double bass!”
“On the Johnny Mandel tune, “Emily,” Chuck Bergeron opens the tune beautifully with his solid bass melodic approach.”
“This album is stuffed with respected jazz vocalists”
“Here is a wonderful celebration of bass and voice. It also shines a bright light on Chuck Bergeron’s exceptional talents as a bass master, both soloist and accompanist.”
Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs
“Bassist Chuck Bergeron has enjoyed working in a wide variety of settings over the course of his more than four-decade career, but he has especially cherished his interactions with singers.
Bass & Face features a world-class roster of voices pairing with Bergeron on a diverse repertoire of songs.”
Bob Morello, Facts on Wax
“There is a certain confidence that comes with age and experience. It is the kind that allows a musician to gather friends, trust their instincts, and let the music tell its own story. Bassist Chuck Bergeron's Bass and Face feels exactly like that. What makes this release inviting is that Bergeron surrounds himself with an extraordinary lineup of vocal personalities, each bringing a distinct sensibility to the proceedings.
“Bergeron's bass sings as eloquently as any of the vocalists featured throughout the program.”
“In these presentations, Bergeron gives each performer room to own their interpretations while acknowledging that, in the right hands, the bass can be at the heart of the conversation.”
Pierre Giroux, All About Jazz
“Bergeron has released a new album that fully showcases his prowess as a bassist while accompanying ten singers, including Janis Siegel and Sheila Jordan. Every track is superb.”
Import Disc Guide - Japan
“Chuck Bergeron teams up with ten different vocalists for a set of thirteen duets that are soft, sweet, and wonderful.”
Oscar Groomes, O’s Place – Jazz Newsletter
“The rare, intimate bass-voice duo format brings out the best, and delicious subtleties, from the most familiar and prominent vocalists.”
George Kanzler, Hot House Jazz Review – Winning Spins