"Thrush Hour," (2006), a release by the glorious American jazz singer Stephanie Nakasian, is billed as "A Study of the Great Ladies of Jazz." It gives us twenty selections associated with these great female jazz singers of yesteryear; many of them well-loved tunes in themselves, performed in the historical styles of the singers who first presented them. But not to worry, Nakasian has also put her own musical personality and creativity into the album. In this enterprise, Nakasian is backed by seven distinguished sidemen. "Primus inter parus" among them, her longtime collaborator and husband, the bebop pianist Hod O'Brien. Also Randy Sandke on trumpet, Tom Hamilton on tenor sax, John Jensen on trombone, Howie Collins on rhythm guitar, Steve Gillmore on bass, and Bill Goodwin on drums. To perform this diverse material, these musicians have displayed their own versatility: they sound quite at home in various different jazz styles. And the soloist, Nakasian, gets to display her versatility and historic knowledge, gained from years of teaching. She says, "It's so much fun and educational since I teach so much and wrote a book....Each great lady represented on this release is somewhat of an originator. Each one came up with a new synthesis of style and nuance that influenced the singers that came after them." Nakasian, who has recorded seven albums, worked as a consultant on the New York Stock Exchange until the mid 1980s. Then she decided to quit her day job, and come out as a jazz singer. Soon after, she began her new career touring as a backup singer with seven-time Grammy winner Jon Hendricks. She's now settled in Charlottesville, Va., where she teaches, gives music lessons, travels on the jazz circuit, and records. I actually recently saw Nakasian and O'Brien in a local supper club, and their professionalism, musicality, and love of the material were evident. As was their phrasing and swing. For heaven's sake, do catch them live if you can, but grab a listen to this record for sure. There's not a chanteuse on it that's not worth knowing.(Stephanie)