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Avant Gershwin is a studio album by Patti Austin, released in 2007 on Rendezvous Music. The album peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Traditional Jazz Albums chart and No. 8 on Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.
Steven Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Daily News, in a 3/5-star review wrote, "Don't let the Avant in the title fool (or tempt) you -- Austin delivers bread-and-butter George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin in this live set with the WDR Big Band that, if anything, is stylized and sophisticated yet incredibly heartfelt and bluesy."
Nate Dow of the Boston Herald, in a B+ review commented, "Teaming with the WDR Big Band at a two-night stand in Germany, Austin swings through this reimagined songbook as if she's been doing it onstage her whole career."
Jonathan Widran of AllMusic, in a 3.5/5-star review remarked, "Avant Gershwin, Patti Austin's shimmering hour-plus tour de force through both familiar and obscure -- but always intriguing -- selections from the catalog of George & Ira Gershwin, is, for the record, not the first time she's dazzled with their songs...Avant Gershwin is in many ways an extension of For Ella; both find her performing with the vibrant, brassy and swinging backing of the WDR Big Band."
Daryl H. Miller of the Los Angeles Times in a 3.5/4-star review declared, "Recording-studio pristine -- though it was largely recorded live with the WDR Big Band of Cologne, Germany -- the album, arranged and conducted by Michael Abene, luxuriates in eight single-song excursions and medleys, most lasting six minutes or more...As Patti Austin filigrees her smooth, trumpet-like vocals onto these big-band arrangements of George and Ira Gershwin classics, she becomes the lead instrument in a lush, lively sound."
Steve Jones of USA Today, in a 4/5 star review noted, "there is nothing standard about the dynamic Patti Austin or her clever takes on these beloved Gershwin works. With the help of Michael Abene and the WDR Big Band, Austin musically rearranges and lyrically reframes these classic tunes, which sparkle thanks to the fresh ideas."
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