Over the past few years, there seems to be more and more artists, particularly women, tackling classic jazz and blues styles. Not that I’m complaining, mind you, because that was a great era of music that’s too often ignored today. It’s refreshing to see that there is still some interest in the genre. Singer Mia Vermillion, from Washington State, stands as one of the most talented, with her silky sensuous vocals. Her new disc, Alone Together With the Blues (Hip Chick Music), finds Vermillion teaming up with slide guitar legend Orville Johnson on a nine-song set of classic jazz and blues standards, plus two originals by Vermillion that stand up well with the standards.

The disc has a relaxed and sophisticated feel, and Vermillion’s beautiful vocals are perfectly complimented by Johnson’s exquisite work on guitar, dobro, and mandolin. The cover tunes include Lil Green’s “In The Dark,” Leroy Carr’s “In The Evening,” a pair of Big Bill Broonzy tunes (“When I’ve Been Drinking” and “I’m Going To Copyright Your Kisses”), Cecil Gant’s “I Wonder,” Mary Lou Williams’ “Walkin’,” and Bing Crosby’s “Two Cigarettes In The Dark.” Vermillion’s interpretations of these standards give the songs new life and Johnson’s shimmering slide guitar work is magnificent. Vermillion’s two original songs are the gently swinging “Little Bit of Love” and the moody “Love’s Lost and Found.”

The superb backing band includes Chuck Deardourf (bass), Ben Smith (drums), Mark Ivester (drums, percussion), Garey Shelton (bass), Cary Black (bass), and Hans Teuber (clarinet). Vermillion produced the disc, with assistance from Tom Kellock on a couple of tracks. Alone Together With the Blues is a splendid set of early jazz and blues by one of the best vocalists I’ve heard in a while.