Marilyn Kleinberg has long been a fixture in New York City clubs, interpreting lovingly curated standards with notable jazz artists.

Her new recording, let Your Heart Lead the Way, came about when harmonica great Will Galison caught the singer performing at the Soapbox Gallery in Brooklyn with pianist John Di Martino and bassist Noriko Ueda. Galison was so impressed that he offered, there and then, to produce a recording of the trio, with the sly suggestion that a drummer be added and that he be featured as a soloist. With legendary drummer Victor Lewis and Galison making the unit a quintet, the result is a definitive set of music featuring Marilyn Kleinberg at her very best.

Let Your Heart Lead the Way begins with Marilyn Kleinberg effortlessly handling the leaping intervals of “Invitation”, with longer notes revealing her rich vocal texture. Here, as on most of the performances, there are concise and inventive solos from Galison and Di Martino (who also contributed the arrangements), and tasteful support (and a few solos) from Ueda and Lewis. Following “Invitation” is a quietly emotional version of “Alfie,” a warm and touching “I Didn’t Know About You”, a thoughtful “Then I’ll Be Tired Of You” and the joyfully swinging “I Just Found Out About Love.”

The other selections include “Never Let Me Go” (which is taken slow and with restrained passion), Stevie Wonder’s “Visions,” a rendition of “Say It (Over And Over Again”) that is full of desire and, from the Wizard of Oz, “If I Only Had A Brain”, (including the rarely performed introductory verse which was cut from the movie version!). The captivating set concludes with the bittersweet “You Won’t Forget Me” and an exhilarating “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was.”

Throughout, the complimentary, interweaving timbres of Marilyn’s sultry voice and Will’s poignant harmonica give this album a unique, deeply moving musical atmosphere.

Marilyn Kleinberg, the daughter of comedian Bernie Allen, grew up in the Bronx. She gained early experience singing in a cappella groups in school. After working with a variety of rock, pop and soul bands, she eventually decided that jazz was her true love. The singer became a fixture in Greenwich Village jazz clubs including Seventh Avenue South, Sweet Basil (and its successor Sweet Rhythm), the Blue Note, Small’s, Mezzrow, and Bird land. Among the musicians who worked with her through the years were pianists Kenny Kirkland and Larry Willis, bassists Ron Carter, Jaco Pastorius, and Buster Williams, guitarist Hiram Bullock, and drummer Cindy Blackman among others.

Marilyn Kleinberg brings a lifetime of musical experiences to let Your Heart Lead the Way and the result is a mature, intimate, and uplifting set of memorable music.