Justin Pierce brings together a love for classic jazz and a natural sense of swing on his debut album, “Sway”. Featuring ten familiar standards, the record is a lively and enjoyable collection that gives these well-loved songs room to breathe while adding a personal touch to each arrangement. Joined by vocalist Ashley Pierce and a talented group of musicians, Justin creates an album that is easy to settle into and rewarding from beginning to end. The title track starts on a welcoming note, followed by “Honeysuckle Rose”. Ashley Pierce’s voice brings plenty of warmth and character to both performances, while Justin’s tenor saxophone adds a lovely melodic touch. The two share a real connection, and their years of performing together come through naturally. Pianist Sean Michael Giddings also makes his presence felt, adding some excellent moments along the way.
The album shifts moods often as it moves forward. Horace Silver’s “The Jody Grind” gets a catchy, funky instrumental treatment that lets the rhythm section shine. On “Meglio Stasera”, Ashley sings the familiar melody in Italian as the band takes the song in a lively samba direction. Their version of Miles Davis’ “All Blues” is another highlight, with a quicker tempo and an added rhythmic riff that gives the piece a different feel. The second half also has some lovely moments. “Alone Together” gets a Latin-inspired arrangement, while “Moon River” takes a softer approach and lets its beautiful melody do the talking. Justin gets a chance to take center stage on “In A Sentimental Mood”, delivering a melodic saxophone performance. “Just the Two of Us” brings a soulful vocal performance from Ashley, and “L-O-V-E” wraps things up with a cheerful arrangement featuring inventive parade rhythms.
Justin and Ashley are joined by Sean Michael Giddings on piano, Young Heo on bass, and Matt Young on drums. Together, the five musicians bring an easy chemistry to the record, moving comfortably between swinging jazz, samba, funk, and soulful moments. I particularly enjoyed the way Justin’s saxophone and Ashley’s voice complement each other. Their performances have a warmth that makes the whole album a pleasure to listen to. “Sway” is a lovely debut from Justin Pierce and his group, offering a fresh, enjoyable take on much-loved standards. Follow Justin Pierce and Ashley Pierce on social media to keep up with their music, performances, and future releases. If you enjoy what you hear, add the album to your playlist and give these ten tracks a place in your regular rotation. Whether you are discovering the group for the first time or already enjoy this style of jazz, “Sway” is well worth your time.
