CD Review – By a Wire, by Jennifer DeFrayne

The masterful composing and performing by pianist Jennifer DeFrayne on this exquisite album is all the more impressive considering that this is her recording debut.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that her producers are Grammy Award-winning guitarist and Windham Hill Records founder Will Ackerman and popular recording artist and pianist Fiona Joy Hawkins, who herself is fresh off the success of the Grammy win of an album she contributed to, Winds of Samsara by Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman, and who released DeFrayne's album on her Little Hartley Music label.

But it is DeFrayne's talent that got Ackerman's and Hawkins' attention in the first place, and deservedly so. Her intricate compositions are lyrical and melodic, and her playing exudes a passion that obviously comes from the heart and is infused with soul.

DeFrayne has a great lineup of musicians backing her up as well: Charlie Bisharat on violin, Eugene Friesen on cello, Hawkins on bass piano, Jeff Haynes on percussion, Jeff Oster on flugel horn, Jill Haley on English horn, Noah Wilding on vocals, Rebecca Daniel on violin, Tony Levin on bass, Tom Eaton on percussion, voice, bass guitar, and electric guitar, and Ackerman on Hopi drum and acoustic guitar.

This promising debut should ensure Jennifer DeFrayne a bright and sucessful recording career.

--Raj Manoharan