When I Fall In Love

Eighteen-year-old Melissa Casper's debut CD. Melissa joins musicians Paul Hosford, Frank Hosford and Rich Hughes on this collection of jazz standards and jazz treatments of pop tunes.

It's been a genuine pleasure to work with Melissa on this CD. Her excitement and enthusiasm for the music is infectious, and serves as a refreshing reminder that jazz can speak across generations. Melissa's energy and intensity are equaled only by her talent and emotional sensitivity to music generally performed by singers both older and more world-wise. Melissa complained once that she sounds "young" (she is only 18); her innocence seems at odds with the emotional complexity that characterizes jazz. Yet the remarkable ease with which she handles this complexity, coupled with her youth, enable her to present this challenging material in a fresh and unique manner.

Melissa's email address is "musical muse...", and that is an apt description of her. Not only does she bring a dedication and enthusiasm to her singing and flute playing, she inspires those around her as well. We feel this album is gestalt - it exceeds the sum of its parts - and Melissa's youthful vitality has contributed greatly to this. This album is even more, though, a symbiosis - we have all drawn inspiration from each other. Frank's masterful piano stylings set the tone for the entire album; Rich's tasteful flugelhorn compliment Melissa's vocals, and his exciting instrumental arrangements season this CD to perfection. And Paul's years of experience in his basement studio have allowed him to weave everything together seamlessly.

We feel Melissa has a bright future ahead of her, and we trust you, the listener, will soon agree.

-- Paul Hosford