Louisville Jazz at its Best

Pure Imagination (Bonavita Records)

Deborah Sachs

By Daniel Gilliam

Deborah Sachs has imagination. You can hear it in her lyrics and her singing.

This debut release from a native Louisvillian, now living in Southern California, is full of warm sounds. Sachs' voice is rich and nimble, bouncing off of each word. Not only has she assembled a good mix of standards and original songs, she has chosen some of Louisville's musical pride to accompany her, with players such as Todd Hildreth, Tyrone Wheeler, Darryel Cotton, Sonny Stephens, Craig Wagner, Jacob Duncan and Chris Noga.

Her arrangements and original compositions show a real understanding of the jazz idiom. "Melodie Unheard" is a perfect example of Deborah's skillful use of literary references in a subtle way. Every note and harmony is clear and carefully placed to achieve an ethereal and otherworldly effect - something from the imagination.

"Cowboy Junkie" is another original song that bounces and swings, with infectious plays on words. It was also a winner in the Canadian website Sky Jazz's weekly favorite artist poll in late November.

You can purchase Pure Imagination at CDBaby.com, locally at ear X-tacy, or by visiting www.deborahsachs.com.