Bachelder and Bruns, Cherry Avenue

by Jeff Becker

Newport Beach vocalist Kevin Bachelder possess a soft focused tenor voice that is able to convey numerous emotions and convincing melodies from many idioms, from straight-ahead, blues, Latin, and pop.  Teaming up with drummer Jason Lee Bruns the two pull from a wide artistic range that is reflected on their new release, Cherry Avenue. Bachelder builds on Jon Hendricks' and Eddie Jefferson's scatting – styles. Bachelder embraces and illuminates John Lennon’s “Dear Prudence,” giving the melody a distinctive jazz inflection.  A rhythmically adventurous "Send in the Clowns," and the rarely-exulted cover of "Ain’t No Sunshine." Bachelder is able to sing to the heart of each song with many embellishments that always comes off as a perfect reference to the original melody.  The title track certainly is a testament to his skill as a vocalist! Highly recommended.