Stranger Things Have Happened

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Stranger Things Have Happened

Studio album by Justin Guarini

Released

December 2005

Recorded

2005

Genre

Jazz

Producer

Justin Guarini, Greg Gordon Smith

Professional reviews

All Music Guide link

Justin Guarini chronology

Justin Guarini
(2003)

Stranger Things Have Happened
(2005)

Stranger Things Have Happened is Justin Guarini's second album. Independently released in 2005, the album consist of modern jazz arrangements of classic standards, as well as the original title track.

The album came into being after the eventual arranger/pianist, Greg Gordon Smith, first heard Guarini singing in a club. Impressed by Guarini's vocal skills, he approached Guarini to collaborate on music. Smith, who also wrote the album's title track, made this comment in response to a fan's question about the track, "What we're all really hoping for as artists is to know that someone heard us and really felt something. Justin had that effect on me when I first heard him sing. "Stranger Things" was my attempt to put that phenomenon into music and relate it to his experiences lyrically". He also said of Guarini, "Anyone else as gifted as Justin would be arrogant, especially in this business. He is never anything but a pleasure to work with and be around".

Other talented jazz musicians became involved, resulting in a quartet made up of a pianist (Smith), drummer (Jamey Tate), bassist (Ian Martin), and saxophonist/flutist (Katisse Buckingham). Eventually the quartet recorded tracks with Guarini at Firehouse Studio, a recording studio in Los Angeles, California. In an informal conversation, the album's drummer described Guarini as "nails in the studio" and someone who "sings from the heart". Flutist Buckingham told his story of initially being reluctant when first approached because of the American Idol connection (although he admittedly had never watched the show and was unfamilar with Guarini), but quickly changed his mind after hearing Guarini sing a portion of "My Funny Valentine" in 5/4 time.

The album of reinvented jazz classics was described by AllMusicGuide as "a successful reinvention... where his natural skills shine", and that Guarini's "charisma when contrasted with his band's jazz chops has a nice, relaxed appeal". The Philadelphia Inquirer likened Guarini to "an earthier Al Jarreau" saying of the album, "Guarini displays an agile, attractive voice with good phrasing, supported by a sophisticated and funky backing ensemble".