Grace Haggerty, What A Wonderful World Review

Grace Haggerty hit the jazz community with a beautiful debut album titled, My Funny Valentine. The album enjoyed much success on jazz radio stations across North America and internationally. My Funny Valentine had five weeks on the NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart, breaking into the Top 14, including ten weeks on the RMR Top 50 chart, peaking at #8 for ten weeks. Haggerty’s vocal style is rooted in the jazz tradition, and her tone is warm with a buoyant and alluring delivery. Haggerty is now releasing a Christmas single called “What A Wonderful World.”

Bottom Line: “What A Wonderful World” is jazz vocalist Haggerty teaming up with renowned conductor/arranger Angelo DiPippo. The single was beautifully recorded at Tiki Studios by Fred Guarino and featured an orchestra alongside a jazz trio supporting Haggerty’s gentle melody phrasing. Though this tune is not known as a traditional Christmas tune, its lyrics and memorable melody have become a part of the Christmas canon as of late. The orchestra arrangement is in a classic style and flows effortlessly under Haggerty’s singing. Haggerty’s phrasing is subtle in its ornamentation of the melody through the form. A melodic saxophone solo is a nice touch to the arrangement and gives a solid jazz vibe to the song. Overall, Haggerty’s singing is toned with style and delicacy in conveying this Holiday treasure. That’s the short of it!