Beauty and the Prince

Jeanfrançois Prins guitars, compositions, arrangements, Judy Niemack vocals (on tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11), Fred Hersch piano (on tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12), Hein van de Geyn bass, Bruno Castellucci drums

Guitarist Jeanfrancois Prins has once again created a rich, multi-textured musical tapestry with a collection of grooving jazz standards, originals, and fusion tunes. The interaction between Prins and his band, each a world-renowned player in his own right, shows the intense listening and mutual inspiration felt by all. Note that he cut here the first guitar version of Jimmy Rowles’ magnificent melody “The Peacocks”.

Judy Niemack appears as a guest vocalist on 8 tracks, and sails through tricky arrangements, scats like an angel, and delivers lyrics with heartfelt emotion.

Piano master Fred Hersch appears on 7 tracks, as brilliant and interactive as ever, whether weaving his luxuriant harmonies around Niemack’s voice or co-composing intricate fugue-like lines in real time with Prins.