MON DAVID

DNA CONTINUUM

Independent Label

Mon David, vocals; Josh Nelson, piano/keyboards; Larry Koonse, guitars.

Jazz vocalist, Mon David has chosen eleven songs to explore on this, his sixth album release. His first album was “Life & Time” in 2005.  In 2006, he released “My One and Only Love” and won the London International Jazz Vocal Competition, beating out 107 other contestants from twenty-seven countries. Soon, he was performing in major jazz clubs. After these successes, Mon David decided to relocate to the United States. He and his family settled in Los Angeles.  In 2009, he recorded and released his first American album called “Coming True.”

For a while, Mon David was a studio session player.  He’s a proficient musician who plays drums and guitar. Briefly, he became part of a pop music group called the APO Hiking Society. They toured worldwide.  However, although they recorded several albums and were working steadily, Mon David was unfulfilled playing pop music.  He tasted commercial success but he longed to return to his jazz roots.

In 2015, he cut the album “This is All I Ask” and in 2020, Mon David released his “DNA” album.  This current release is a continuation of that last release, once again dueting with pianist Josh Nelson.  On four songs they include the wonderful guitarist, Larry Koonse.

I can hear Mon David’s love for Jon Hendricks and Mark Murphy in his phrasing. He leans heavily towards bebop, including tunes like Oscar Brown Jr.’s lyrical brilliance on “Long As You’re Living” that opens this album.

Josh Nelson has composed a song called “Spirit.”  It’s a waltz and quite beautiful. Mon David uses his voice without words, like an instrument. Next, he interprets “The Two Lonely People” by Bill Evans and Carol Hall, singing a sad story with a beautiful melody.

Nelson and David have composed a tune together that celebrates Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.  It’s called “Duke and Billy.” It’s a great tune with strong lyrics and a wonderful melody.

Mon David has composed music and lyrics as a tribute to Mark Murphy called “Murky.”  He shows off his scat abilities during this presentation. Here is an album that celebrates the vocalist’s creativity, imagination, emotional delivery and improvising techniques.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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