Rondi Charleston - Signs of Life (2013)

In addition to the signs of life that burst through every note of this disc, Rondi Charleston has also filled it with unmistakable signs of growth. Her interpretive skills, already well documented on her previous CDs, display added depth as she covers the music of five jazz and pop heavyweights. Her collaborative skills - one of the traits that mark Charleston as a jazz vocalist - remain steady and sure as she surrounds herself with a cast of imposing partners. Best of all, the inclusion of five originals signal that Charleston has graduated from a singer who somtimes composes to a serious songwriter, one with a broad vision and lyrical skills to match.