Judith Owen returns in spectacular form with Suit Yourself, a dazzling album that captures the spirit of jazz, blues, and big band music with remarkable confidence and personality. Recorded in the heart of New Orleans at Esplanade Studios, the album feels alive from the opening notes of “That’s Why I Love My Baby” to the uplifting finale “Inside Out.” Owen’s ability to revive timeless sounds while adding her own modern flair makes this record both nostalgic and refreshingly original.
What makes Suit Yourself especially compelling is Owen’s extraordinary vocal presence. Her voice is warm, theatrical, seductive, and emotionally rich, effortlessly adapting to every mood the album explores. Tracks like “Blue Skies,” “If I Were A Bell,” and “Since I Fell For You” showcase her interpretative brilliance, while the swinging “Moanin’” and “Evil Gal Blues” explode with big band excitement. Owen understands the essence of storytelling in jazz and blues, and she delivers each lyric with conviction and charm. The result is an album that feels deeply personal while honoring the great traditions that inspired it.
The musicianship across the album is equally exceptional. The Gentlemen Callers provide a sophisticated and dynamic backbone, with standout performances from David Torkanowsky on piano and Jamison Ross on drums. Special guests elevate the project even further. Davell Crawford brings soulful chemistry to “Today I Sing The Blues,” while Joe Bonamassa delivers fiery guitar work on “Mind Is On Vacation.” The Tonya Boyd-Cannon Choir adds powerful gospel emotion to “Inside Out,” creating one of the album’s most memorable moments.
Suit Yourself is more than a jazz album; it is a celebration of musical freedom, passion, and artistry. Judith Owen combines elegance, humor, swagger, and emotional depth into a collection that feels timeless yet excitingly fresh. Whether performed with a sextet or the JO Big Band, every song radiates joy and authenticity. This is an album that deserves repeated listens and further confirms Judith Owen as one of the most captivating vocalists working today.
TRACKS
1. That’s why I love My Baby
2. Blue Skies
3. To your Door
4. Today I sing the Blues
5. Today I sing the Blues
6. Moanin’
7. Shall We Dance?
8. Spooky
9. Have a Good Life
10. Mind is on Vacation
11. Evil Gal Blues
12. Since I fell for You
13. Inside Out
