Theresa Grayson | It’s All About You

Theresa Grayson | It’s All About You By Brian Soergel

Soprano saxophonist Theresa Grayson is what’s right in urban-flavored contemporary jazz these days.

This up-and-coming Texan is refreshingly free of boxed-in ideas. You get that impression from the get-go on her debut CD. “Afterthoughts” begins with a straight-ahead-jazz drum flourish before segueing into a Chuck Loeb-like guitar run from Brennen Nase and, finally, Grayson’s soprano. “Pressure” is equally diverse, with its funky running, jazz underpinnings and Quincy Cole’s Rhodes all grist for Grayson’s attacking style of playing. On “The Blood,” Grayson similarly attacks her horn on a tune featuring a percolating bass solo from Will Curtis.

Grayson – a graduate of the famous music program at North Texas University where she’s now working on a PhD — is an original, but she can also invite comparisons from those who’ve led the way. On “Close Your Eyes,” a ballad with background vocals from Grayson and William Lemuel, her soprano lines float effortlessly above the bottom end like the best of Najee. On a spectacular cover of “Amazing Grace,” you can close your eyes and imagine Richard Elliot starting slow and slowly whipping an audience into a frenzy. Grayson’s tenor is rich and expressive on this song, making you wish you big out that bad boy more often.

Grayson’s background includes working for two years in an ensemble formed by jazz pianist Marcus Johnson, as well as a special appearance with Houston based gospel band Leviticus during a CD debut that featured superstar saxophonist Kirk Whalum.

Brian Soergel
The Urban Music Scene