The Barbara & Al Boudreau Quartet: Press

The subtitle of this CD is "Two sing ‘Four’ and more," and definitely 'more' it is! With a solid rhythm section consisting of Mark Carlsen on bass, Jack Senier on piano, and Al Boudreau on drums, Barbara Buls' picture perfect vocals are impeccably framed. Occasionally Al joins his lovely wife on such numbers as "Bernie's Tune", and "Joy spring", and the fun really begins! His drumming is sparkling and driving, with crisp figures accenting the vocal pyrotechnics. Carlsen's bass is rich and solid, his well crafted solos growing on you with repeated listening, and Senier is never at a loss for an interesting quote or lick when it's his turn to shine.

Each and every track is great jazz, sometimes swinging, sometimes introspective, but always musically tasteful and frequently innovativeand imaginative, especially when Herb Pomeroy, a legend in his own time, plays his soulful trumpet and flugelhorn. It's not hard to imagine Herb playing with Duke Ellington or Lionel Hampton when you check out his interpretations of "Jive at Five" and "It's Sand, Man". With a varied selection of material, there's something here to satisfy a wide assortment of tastes, from blues such as "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You" to ballads like "Poor Butterfly", to Benny Carter's smooth classic, "When Lights Are Low", and Kern's "I'm Old Fashioned". It's a celebration of The Great American Songbook!

The recording is dedicated to the memory of the Boudreaus' friend, Tommy Gallant, a wonderful New Hampshire Seacoast Area jazz pianist who "left us too soon for the big band in the sky" as it says in the liner notes. A portion of the purchase price of the CD will go to the scholarship fund established in Tommy's name at the University of New Hampshire- a thoughtful way of saying "Thank You" for all the great music Tom was involved in creating, and a means of assuring that the tradition he helped establish will continue into the future. Especially poignant is Barbara's rendition of Les Harris Sr.'s beautiful composition, "Since Tommy's Gone", which to this reviewer's ear has the potential to become a standard tune in its own right.

You can often hear the group live at sessions around the North
Shore, such as at the Ipswich Bay Oyster Bar, but definitely get this
disk for your collection. Highly recommended!

Featuring Herb Pomeroy in memory of Tommy Gallant.

Not only is this a joyous musical treat, but it honors one of New Englands jazz talents Tommy Gallant, a long standing musical feature on the New Hampshire scene. Joining Barbara and Al on the CD are Herb Pomeroy, Jack Senier, and Mark Carlsen. Cut number 7 Since Tommys Gone by Les Harris Sr., is part 1 of the tribute. Part 2 is a two dollar donation from the sale of each CD to the Tommy Gallant Scholarship Fund for aspiring musicians at UNH.

There are not many vocal duos on the jazz scene today, but Barbara and Al excel at keeping the form healthy. The choice of tunes includes some first rate jazz standards including Miles Four, Clifford Browns Joy Spring, Basies Jive at Five, and others all in fine taste! Catch their act live in the upcoming CD release parties at Finally Michaels, Kings Grant or the Studio or on one of their frequent North Shore gigs. You wont regret it!