Within a few seconds of listening to Rondi Charleston’s Signs of Life, it becomes immediately obvious that this is no ordinary jazz vocalist. Her husky timbre and soulful delivery breathe new life into jazz standards and make her own original compositions that much more mind-blowing.
The Juilliard-educated classical vocalist, turned Emmy and Peabody Award winning journalist, turned jazz singer and songwriter has created an album that’s simply astounding. Lyrically, Charleston takes on subjects such as science, nature, history and life in general, penning tracks that reflect the beautiful mysteries of our world, while questioning our role and future in it.
“I somehow see myself as an archaeologist, always digging for the truth behind the story, and it’s all about storytelling,” she says. As a result, Charleston doesn’t shy away from injecting her own personal adventures into these songs either. The record opens with “DNA” which was inspired after meeting her Norwegian relatives for the first time and seeing genetics and environment at play when they discovered how much they had in common with each other. The title track “Signs of Life” is where she imagines the lives of her home’s original owners after she finds old spoons and newspapers in the cellar. “How The River Flows” has especially deep meaning for Charleston as it recounts her family’s white-water rafting accident in Costa Rica when their raft flipped upside down. “The Wind Speaks” came to her after riding over Napa Valley in a hot air balloon and witnessing the effects of climate change from an aerial view.
Then of course there are her interpretations of standards like Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and Thelonious Monk’s “Reflections.” But it seems like she has the most fun with Jobim’s “Chega de Suadage” and Randy Weston’s “Babe’s Blues.” Her rich voice perfectly complements the lively Latin melody of the former, before letting loose with Weston’s sassy and cheeky waltz.
The CD closes with a non-jazz tune titled “The Cave Knows,” a bonus track from the award-winning documentary “No Place On Earth.” The film tells the story of Priest’s Grotto, a 77-mile network of caves that provided 38 Jews with shelter for 17 months during World War II. Together with jazz piano giant Fred Hersch, Charleston uses the melancholy music to describe the fear and desperation these victims must have experienced as they waited for an absolution.
The talented musicians in the background allow Charleston to shine throughout the album, but it would be remiss of me not to tip my hat to the stellar ensemble that helped make Signs of Life possible: noted jazz and blues guitarist Dave Stryker, pianist Brandon McCune, bassist Ed Howard, drummer Clarence Penn and percussionist Mayra Casales. Featured soloists Gregoire Maret of internationally-renowned harmonica fame and Ted Nash on tenor saxophone round out the group.
All in all, thought-provoking lyrics, delightful accompaniment and a charming vocalist make Signs of Life a pure joy to hear.
For more information on Signs of Life, please visit Rondi Charleston’s website.