Monteiro is the daughter of the late bassist Jimmy Woode, and dedicates this album to him. Father and daughter did work together in Europe; now she’s based in Connecticut and combines performing with teaching vocal jazz at the Hartt School. She may well be the most experienced vocalist you've never heard of, but clearly can attract the very best current players as support for these paired sessions.

The recently-departed Mike Renzi opens the highly animated ’Dearly Beloved’ before Monteiro enters, deep-toned and certainly vigorous, the brilliant Zinno and Langone given their turns. She swings, as do the Renzi trio, regulars with her. ‘Inside A Silent Tear’ is slower, the vocal range quite narrow, the harmonic colorations and ‘smoky timbre’ recalling Carmen McRae, Renzi impeccable. ‘You are There’ is just a duo with Renzi and limps a bit vocally. By track six, ‘You’ll See’, it’s the New Yorkers who take over, Monteiro relaxed and ever more McRae-like, Barron paramount, Davis blowing in. She gives ‘The Shadow of Your Smile‘ a rough ride at first, Barron and Davis saving the day. ‘Autumn Leaves’ moves well, anchored by Reeves’ perfect lines, Monteiro doing her McRae thing well, Barron superb. ‘Alone At Last’ in bossa mode, is adorned by superior trumpet from Bruneau and an airy Barron solo. ‘My Old Friend’ is the sign-off, Allmark’s trumpet mellifluous and quite brilliant. So, a mixed bag vocally, best when Monteiro relaxes and strains less, the musicianship of all her session companions spot on. Bravo Barron and company, and Renzi too. Nice production.