Back to the Garden

Iconic 1960s Songs of Love, Hope & Change, Reimagined

On her 6th album, BACK TO THE GARDEN, Judy recasts classic songs of the 1960s as jazz/pop anthems that are as relevant today as they were over 50 years ago.

with

Judy Wexler vocals
Jeff Colella piano, melodica (5), background vocals (1)
Larry Koonse nylon string & electric guitar
Gabe Davis bass
Steve Hass drums
Bob Thiele, Jr., electric guitar, baritone guitar (1,7,8,9)
Erin Bentlage background vocals (1,4,7,9)
Danny Janklow alto sax (4)
Jay Jennings trumpet (10)
Hendrik Meurkens harmonica (8)
Sara Caswell violin (9)
Joel Pargman violin (3,6)
Carrie Kennedy violin (6)
Rodney Wirtz viola (3,6)
Stefanie Fife cello (3,5,6)
Talley Sherwood background vocals (1)

Produced by Judy Wexler and Jeff Colella
Arrangements by Jeff Colella (1,2, 4-9) and Josh Nelson (3,10)
String arrangements by Jeff Colella
Trumpet arranged by Jeff Colella
Background vocal arrangements by Erin Bentlage (1,7,9)
Background vocal arrangement by Jeff Colella & Erin Bentlage (4)

Though L.A. jazz vocal treasure Judy Wexler and her cadre of storied sidemen have a trippy, soulfully and colorfully arranged blast mining emotional gold from a tasty swirl of iconic, socially conscious songs from the 60’s and 70’s Back to the Garden is much more than a nostalgia trip. Drawing on her inimitable ability to inhabit classic lyrics––and her way of balancing melancholy with bold, much needed shards of hope––Wexler renders anew these oft-heard tunes as fresh, incisive social commentary on our modern socio-political landscape.

– Jonathan Widran, Music Connection Magazine

There are no copycat retreads here. Tasteful jazz-inflected settings for the band, with most arrangements by pianist Jeff Colella, and pensive but pretty singing make us listen perhaps more attentively. “Up on the Roof” is a splendid example of how a canny singer and arranger can refresh something that has already had a few differently distinctive treatments. While this is an endearing, uncomplicated portrait of respite, Judy Wexler can also dig deeper. Her nuanced handling of Paul Simon’s “American Tune” captures its wistful melancholy and doesn’t shy away from its sense of defeat. Vulnerable and touching, with strings appearing to underscore the mood, it makes this Garden bloom its brightest.

– Rob Lester, Talkin’ Broadway

With her appealing, heartfelt vocals and solid backing, “Back to the Garden” is a delightful, sophisticated jazz-pop recording.

– In a Blue Mood

Truly a courageous undertaking… the musical touches that imbue the whole album are brilliant. Give Wexler credit for breathing new life into them and allowing us to hear them so differently.

– Making a Scene

Judy Wexler’s deft reworkings of iconic ‘60s songs on Back to the Garden deliver a much-appreciated antidote for worrisome times.

– NYC Jazz Record

Delectable… an enlightening and therapeutic album as Wexler draws out still-relevant messages and sentiments that help us both understand and cope with our contemporary political and social problems. And Wexler is the perfect singer to do this. Not only is her youthful “girl-next-door” sound an appropriate voice for this signature music of the Sixties counterculture youth movement, but despite the charged contexts spurring much of the material, Wexler’s interpretations are inviting, gently informative, and never angry. She’s not venting. She’s offering conversation-starters, of the ilk we so need in America today. Wexler sings in an effortless, un-stylized fashion, as if she’s simply speaking to us.

– Bistro Awards

Wexler winds her way through a set of counterculture classics with characteristic vocal savvy, class and composure. Recasting flower-power favorites, she draws a perfect line from one era of strife and iniquity to another.

– JazzTimes

Much beauty, soulfulness and expressive singing… she brings grace and adventurousness to songs we already love, effectively putting a fresh coat of paint on them in her own inestimable and exciting vision.

– Take Effect

Passionate and filled with memorable passages from a solid repertoire, Back to the Garden is a joyful, timeless expression of lyrical depth. Judy Wexler’s sublime voice is confident, assuring and optimistic. It left me wanting more.”

– Roots Music Report

Judy Wexler has selected pop songs from the 1960s, but in her performance steers them skilfully into jazz territory. Wexler’s interpretations are particularly pleasing because she not only turns them into fluid jazz songs, but her crystal-clear diction and subtle phrasing drive home those original messages set out by the lyricists. Thoroughly enjoyable, and especially for those with long memories.

– Jazz Journal UK

Back to the Garden is quite a recording. Judy Wexler—petite in stature, but tremendously talented and agile in artistry–delivers her finest performance and certainly most ambitious album to date. Wexler’s awesome vocal talent, dexterity, and expressive flair lavishly wash across the session.

– All About Jazz

Back to the Garden breathes fresh life into these songs and gives them a jazz feel with the elegance and sensitivity they deserve… Much should be said about Judy’s sparkling vocals and the shrewd arrangements. Passionate and reverential, Judy never tries to drag these sacred period songs into another space nor does she approach the material with the assumption they need a makeover. Instead, she sings as if she’s of the music and the era, and she takes chances in the right places with a voice that is sufficiently agile and powerful to meet the songs’ challenges on their own terms.

– Marc Myers, JazzWax