Eric Van Aro

 Obsession (Eraki)

 By Brian Arsenault

You take a little Francis Albert phrasing, some Mel Torme smoothness and some Dr John deep, deep tones and you start to bubble up some of what Eric Van Aro is on Obsession.

Eric Van Aro

The man takes back for male jazz vocalists a little of the dominance of female jazz singers in recent years.

This is a voice that could lure the unwary on the rocks of a club but also fill a Broadway stage, depending on material.

That club I mentioned, it’s a small room, so for most of the evening there’s only enough space for the singer and a pianist. That’s fabulous Fabio Gianni on piano and his work with Eric here goes beyond accompaniment.

He supports and enhances the vocals so well that at times, they become one. In musicality. In emotionality. In…