Anyone who’s ever suffered a great loss – and that means all of us at some point – will find moving, inspiring and coolly swinging redemption in vocalist and songwriter Jamie Shew’s Eyes Wide Open – a heartfelt, life affirming tribute to her jazz-filled journey with her husband Roger, a respected bassist and music educator who died of a rare form of cancer in 2016. Fronting the tight four piece ensemble of jazz masters Larry Koonse (jazz electric and nylon string guitars), Joe Bagg (piano and Hammond B-3), Darek Oles (bass) and Jason Harnell (drums), the singer weaves a lovely, poignant tale of her jazz-filled journey with Roger.
Bookending the 13 track set with originals painting opposite moods (the lighthearted “Get Out of My Head,” the wistfully poetic title track), Shew draws from a unique well of well-known and offbeat tunes - including a Dori Caymmi gem, sung in Portuguese - to paint a complete portrait of the greatest of loves. Eyes Wide Open is a testament to the beauty of true love and the timeless healing power of music.