Reviews
CD – At Last – Vernelle Anders *****
By: David L. Watson
I have heard and worked with many female singers that are great, but two of these fine women stand out for me, Michele Hendricks the daugther of the great Jon Hendricks, and Vernelle Anders who came from out of nowhere one day and knocked me off my feet. These two women are different in the way they do their thing, but when I heard Vernelle singing it stopped me in my tracks. I could’nt believe the voice, which was like that of Dinah Washinton, but not trying to be. Her timing, control, praising and delivery is smooth, natural, and not forced. Coming from L.A. growing up hard, but had this yearn to sing R&B which she did. She got bored with that and found her place in jazz. Vernelle was heard and she started working with some of the best in the L.A. scene Ray Brown, Tommy Troup and many other. Vernelle paid her dues on the road in places like Alaska, Hawaii and various Northern Ca. festivals, winery, and clubs. “At Last” is Vernelle’s first CD which is on the Music In The Vines label. This CD is made up of songs that shows her background in R&B, Motown, and Jazz. Althouh the musical leans heavily on standards, Vernelle is real comfortable with her jazz. Her band which consist of Wayne De La Cruz piano, Steve Webber bass, Kendrick Freeman drums, Ylonda Nickell (Queen of the Sax) sax, Jess Petty trumpet are really fine world class musicans. This CD is no amateur production, but the product of a seasoned performer who knows exactly what to do to put over a song, and Vernelle goes about it without ever stumbling.