JAZZ WITH SOUL reminds me of one of those dream-team, close-knit jazz groups of the very late 1950s and early 1960s, in which solos and interpretation were geared for listener entertainment, and a shared feeling of jazz expression existed between performers and the audience. This is such a dream-team, close-knit, together in all the right places for the year 2000!

The 7 selections are "Straight No Chaser," "Night & Day," "All Blues," "Angel Eyes," "Stolen Moments," "Love For Sale," "Bye Bye Blackbird." You can visualize Cole Porter in the listening audience applauding this group's fine performance of his classic, "Night & Day." Another great performance is "Angel Eyes."

Dean Lea is great at the keyboards, his style fluid and harmonic, emphasizing the feel of the music! Jeff Santaga sounds it out and expresses the themes so nicely with his saxophone, and the other musicians on this CD give outstanding performances. This is a little sweet gem of a jazz CD, one that deserves radio play time and contact with a large listening audience.

For something really out of this world and enjoyable, give a listen to Tim Stemper on guitar with Jeff Santaga on saxophone in the memorable rendition of "Bye Bye Blackbird." Olu Sijowade on saxophone with Conway Powell on bass, Paul Spencer on drums, Paul Vierck on vocal, and Dean Lea on keyboard give a highly charged and memorable version of "Angel Eyes," and listen to Olu Sijowade soar with a brilliant solo saxophone performance on "Angel Eyes."

A special CD with excellent performances and excellent jazz expressions. JAZZ WITH SOUL is something nice to enjoy over many times! Give it a try! What a standout group, together and with it jazzically, totally!