Mary Foster Conklin's introduction of her newest CD at New York's Metropolitan Room was cause for celebration. Conklin was divine – moving and moody. Paired with some extraordinarily atmospheric arrangements of Music Director and pianist John DiMartino, Blues for Breakfast - Remembering Matt Dennis is a better treat for a blues fan than a weekend on a yacht. Ferreting out Dennis' music has been a cause celebre for Conklin in the past couple of years, seeking his original recordings and music for his songs. Blues for Breakfast is the culmination of a labor of love.

DiMartino recognized an opportunity when he had one, and his arrangements use the jazz-wise, sultry-voiced Conklin to good advantage. Not only as a vocalist, but often as a virtual fifth instrument added to the impressive quartet of his piano, Sean Smith on bass, Tim Horner on drums, and Tony Romano on guitar. Romano shared the spotlight in several arrangements, a knowing tribute to his virtuosity.

Matt Dennis was a successful songwriter in the 1940's, writing with lyricist Tom Adair for the Dorsey band. Many of their songs are endurable classics. Let's Get Away Form It All, The Night We Called It a Day and Violets for Your Furs are on the CD. Dennis collaborated with other lyricists as well, and Conklin unearthed some copies of his less well-known work at the Library of Congress. The advantage of that, said Conklin, was that with only the sheet music to work from, she and DiMartino had a clean slate to create their own "twenty-first century arrangements."

The CD is a "must buy." But endeavor to see Conklin and the DiMartino group in the flesh. There's something about a live performance that will stay with you as you later play the cuts.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
September 21, 2006