Let me start off but stating the obvious. Vast talent does not equate to popularity. Fortunately in singer, songwriter and keyboardist Kiki Ebsen’s case, her vast talent has led to a string on elegant albums and respect of her musical contemporaries. Southern California based Ebsen is a classically trained vocalist from the California Institute of Arts but honed her talents as MIDI tech and keyboardist for the band Chicago. Additionally Ebsen, the daughter of the late actor Buddy Ebsen, toured extensively with Al Jarreau, Peter Cetera and Christopher Cross among others.

The album, Red marked her 1994 debut as a solo artist. Ebsen demonstrated her keyboard prowess and jazz, adult contemporary vocal chops on four additional albums from 2000’s Love Loud, to 2011 The Beauty Inside. While Ebsen is an accomplished songwriter, she explored a mixture of covers in 2005’s Cool Songs vol. 1.

Her upcoming release, Scarecrow Sessions, allow Ebsen to turn her talented arrange chops on a collection of jazz standards . This time, Ebsen pulls inspiration from her later father and presents the songs as a father’s day gift in his honor.

Ebsen assembles an all-star band to assist with John Patitucci on bass, Chuck Loeb on guitar and producer David Mann on sax. The results touching and heartfelt.

“Missing You” displays a grace and elegance required of a touching tribute of a daughter to a father, Kiki Ebsen’s unaccompanied piano is simply memorizing yet can’t overshadow her lovely vocal stylings. “If I Only Had a Brain” is an almost comical nod at Buddy Ebsen’s almost famous role in the movie, The Wizard of Oz. Ebsen was replaced ( as the Tin Man) when he developed a severe allergy to the makeup. Kiki Ebsen takes on the heady task of updating “Moon River”. Her efforts pay off, adding a sophisticated sheen to the classic and paying homage to Buddy Ebsen’s roll is the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. “Comes Love’ find Ebsen mixing blues and jazz effectively. Her version of the song evokes Marvin Gaye and Joni Mitchell. “St. Louis Blues” find Ebsen and band in full swing mood. The song, the first one Buddy Ebsen taught her on piano, allows Ebsen a chance to stretch both vocally and on piano. It songs like the boys in the band took great joy in trying to keep up with her. The end track, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” is a perfect close for the album dedicated to the man who was cast to play the Scarecrow only to be recast to the Tim Man then had to resign from the movie all together. Kiki Ebsen’s Scarecrow Sessions is an excellent tribute to Buddy Ebsen of father’s day and a treat to listeners any day of the week.