What a nice delightful sound. Michele Faber has put together a great quartet that includes some musicians that are well steeped in the music here in Los Angeles and abroad. The band includes Paul Kreibich on drums, who is one of the most sought after and well loved drummers here in town, old friend and very talented Greg Eicher on bass as well as the gracious and super melodic guitarist John Chiodini.

The quartet played songs that ranged from classics standards like "Skylark", to Brazilian flavored tunes like "Feliciadad" to funny covers like Horace Silver's "Juicy Lucy" and on to a few of Michele's own original compositions. Just as wonderful as the sound of piano, bass, drums and guitar can get, Michele is takes us through some very delicious melodies leaving plenty of room for each of her counterparts to spread their wings and fly. Michele captures an essence of creativity that still maintains the solid structure of the tune, while adding very nice touches that speak her voice.

Other combinations of the band were trio's each lead by either Michele or John Chiodini, both with a stunningly sweet melodic flavor, John at times sounding like a Spanish love song. Speaking of which, Michele just returned from Spain headlining the International Jazz & Blues Festival in Cadiz. Spreading her joyous sound all over the world and back, Michele's phrasing and in the pocket sound is straight down the middle classic and very entertaining. I took a peek at Merle Kreibich listening to the music and when our eyes met, she gave me a smile with an approving "two thumbs up"!

Although Michele did not verbally say too many words, (she left that up to me), musically, she read like a top ten novel. Telling stories that made you feel so good that you could not put down the book! Well, if you would like to catch up on some good reading, either see this group live or check out the latest disc by Michele called "The Mar Vista Sessions". Weather blusing, waltzing or on the boundaries of original music, the Michele Faber Quartet takes you on a wonderful feel good journey that I am sure you will enjoy!

LeRoy Downs