Katerina Adamopoulou – We’ ll meet again (Album Review)

The debut album We’ll Meet Again by jazz singer and songwriter Katerina Adamopoulou arrives with quiet confidence and a deep sense of personal reflection. Released digitally on October 18th and supported with a physical CD release through Jazz Breeze Records in November, this collection of five original compositions and one classic jazz standard reveals an artist coming into her own with clarity and artistic grace.

Katerina’s journey into songwriting began at the Athenaeum Music Conservatory in Athens, where her improvisations on the piano laid the foundation for what would later become a fully realised jazz expression. Completing her jazz vocal studies in 2023 proved to be a defining moment, and We’ll Meet Again captures this transformative chapter in both sound and spirit.

From the opening track, On The Spot, it’s clear that this is classic jazz bar territory. Katerina’s voice blends seamlessly with the instruments, not overpowering but instead conversing with them. The trumpet solo stands out, not just as a technical highlight but as a bold artistic choice. In an era where vocals dominate most music, letting the trumpet take the lead offers a refreshing reversal, and it works beautifully.

When You’re Gone slows things down with sensuality and introspection. It is a song made for late-night listening, where subtle vibrato and controlled phrasing carry real emotional weight. Midway through, the piano takes over in a burst of energy, pushing the track into a more intense and expressive space with scatting that adds both texture and spontaneity.

Clock Hands plays with mischief. The vocal phrasing is nimble, echoing the rhythmic playfulness of the piano. There is an undeniable synergy here, a conversation between voice and keys that feels both effortless and deliberate. The track shows off Katerina’s skill not just as a singer but as a jazz interpreter.

In her rendition of George Gershwin’s Someone To Watch Over Me, Katerina opts for restraint and simplicity. The slow tempo and soft delivery give the lyrics room to breathe. The message of hope and vulnerability is treated with the respect it deserves, and her control over dynamics makes the track quietly powerful.

Distant Love leans into familiar jazz themes – longing, wine, and the gentle ache of temptation. The bass plays a central role here, walking alongside the smooth piano lines with confidence. The chemistry between the rhythm section creates a sensual undercurrent, tying the track together and keeping it grounded even as the melody soars.

Finally, We’ll Meet Again closes the album with grace. It begins softly, but grows both vocally and instrumentally into something warm and uplifting. The richness of Katerina’s lower register shines here, and her use of elongated notes adds emotional depth. Ending with the album’s title line is a subtle but satisfying touch, a full-circle moment that lingers after the music stops.

Katerina Adamopoulou’s debut is more than a collection of jazz tracks; it is a portrait of an artist navigating memory, relationships, and change. Her voice is expressive, technically strong, and always in conversation with the instruments around her. The ensemble behind her, featuring standout contributions from Trifonas Tipou on piano and Giorgos Thomopoulos on trumpet, provides the perfect backdrop for her storytelling.

SCORE/Outstanding – We’ll Meet Again is a promising and heartfelt debut. It offers a glimpse into the world of a vocalist and composer who understands jazz not just as a style, but as a language for personal truth.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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