All Her Bass Belongs to Her: Brandi Disterheft, SJB Deluxe

I haven’t been posting much of late, so let’s try to get back into the swing of things with a new

SLINKY JAZZ BABE™

BRANDI DISTERHEFT
is a Canadian composer, bassist and singer now based in Toronto. Unfortunately, her website is currently down, so I couldn’t see what was there, but it might be working soon.

She has two albums; the first, from 2007, is called Debut (iTunes).

I don’t have it, but it is on the “things to order” list. A few excerpts from an online review from All about Jazz by Raul D’Gamma Rose.

The incredibly gifted Disterheft has all at once crossed the threshold of first albums and pushed the horizon much further than any musician of her vintage. Debut (Superfran Records, 2007) is a truly remarkable achievement. The album has nine original compositions that are not just original, but appear to have come from a voice so distinctive that one can safely say, “You’ve never heard anything like this before.” Unless you were the late Oscar Peterson, in which case you might say, “She has the same lope or rhythmic pulse as my bassist, Ray Brown. She is what we call serious.” And that, Dr. Peterson, would be putting it all too mildly.

…

Debut is the kind of first album that most musicians can only dream of to launch their careers. Praise is also due to fellow West Coaster, Michael Kaeshammer, a fine musician in his own right, for the production.

She also appears as part of the Richard Whiteman Trio (piano) along with drummer Sly Juhus, who has followed her on her solo career.

I do have her second album called “Second Side” and it’s currently getting lots of airtime on my stereo. A wide range of material, some instrumental (she is a great bassist) and some with vocals (she is also a great singer). There are all sorts of styles and textures on the album and it all works for me.

Holly Cole does the vocals on “He’s Walkin’” (and co-wrote it), and it is perhaps the most accessible, radio-friendly tune on the album. Ranee Lee sings on “This Time The Dreams on Me”

Here is the link to Justin Time Record’s blurb about her and it.

And a review excerpt from the aforementioned Raul d’Gama Rose at All About Jazz.

Despite being more adventurous than Debut, Disterheft continues to reference the blues with deep conviction. Using contemporary interpretations of that idiomatic platform, the bassist/composer has succeeded in creating truly ebullient, elastic and ever-evolving compositions, as she plucks her way forward. The result is a record that is delightfully unexpected in content and near-flawless in performance.

Well, how about some music? Here is a youtube video: