Lisa Rich: I Still Rise

TRITONE RECORDS (RELEASED JUNE 26, 2026)

When you see the word “pure” on food items you know they are unadulterated and free from artificial additives, fillers or contaminants. If that is the case, they need to put a “pure” sticker on vocalist Lisa Rich’s I Still Rise. Accompanied by pianist Marc Copland, bassist Drew Gress and trumpeter Dave Ballou (all three accompanied Rich on her 2024 Long as You’re Livin’ release), Rich delivers a program of ten tunes that are devoid of
musical tricks, histrionics and cliché-ridden effects. In other words, I Still Rise is pure in every sense of the word. Rich picked every tune on the session to reflect where she is at this time in her life. As she explains, “The music is happy and it’s sad, it’s angry and joyful, just like I am.” Happiness is navigating Mike Farris’ intricate lyrics of Thelonious Monk’s “Well You Needn’t” (retitled as “It’s Over Now”) accompanied by the muted trumpet of Ballou; harmonizing with Ballou on Kitty Margolis’ lyrics to Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” (retitled ”Ancient Footprints;”) and scatting on an up-tempo version of Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Like Someone in Love,” A touch of sadness is evident in Rich’s heartfelt approach to Bruno Martino’s “Estate;” Bill Evans’ “Two Lonely People;” Jay Livingston and Ray Evans’ “Never Let Me Go;” and Denny Zeitlin’s “Quiet Now”. Rich’s original “How Can We Sing About Freedom,” which is bookended with two brief versions of Jay Clayton’s wordless “Beginner,” expresses Rich’s anger and frustration with today’s turmoil. (It should be noted that Clayton was not only a major influence on Rich but produced her 2024 release.) Joyful is the fun of an unrehearsed vocal-bass duo on “No Moon at All;” or finding a fresh way to approach Dave Brubbeck’s “Take Five.” Granted, most of the tunes have been performed by other singers, but the arrangements on I Still Rise are fresh, Gress, Copland and Ballou are inspired and meticulous at the same time and Rich is simply pure in every note, every lyric and every wordless phrase. In addition to applying the “pure” sticker to this release, I suggest they also need to put a “Best Vocal Album of 2026” sticker on I Still Rise!

BOTTOM LINE: I’ll admit that I was totally unfamiliar with vocalist Lisa Rich before hearing I Still Rise. Now I am enamored by her — by her choice of tunes, by her arrangements, by the sensitive support of the musicians she selected for this date (bassist Drew Gress, pianist Marc Copland and trumpeter Dave Ballou) and most all by the pure warmth, agility and beauty of her voice. If you are a fan of vocalists such as the late Jay Clayton, Sheila Jordan and Shirley Horn you will be a fan of Lisa Rich!