Produced by guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, HAUNTED HEART is the debut CD by the highly traditional contemporary jazz singer Hilary Kole. Kole hails from the song-oriented Broadway school of jazz singing--she has a tart, intelligent style which she puts to good use on cabaret cult favorites like Bob Dorough's "Better Than Anything" and Alec Wilder's "Blackberry Winter." In fact, the whole set reflects the most discerning taste for quality tunes and the singers who originally sang them, including Peggy Lee ("I Didn't Know About You"), Lani Hall ("Like A Lover"), Jo Stafford ("Haunted Heart"), Billie Holiday ("How Am I to Know," lyrics by Dorothy Parker), Blossom Dearie, Irene Kral, and others. Kole is fortunate to have on hand her regular accompanist, pianist Ted Firth, who provides full-blooded, two-fisted backup without ever getting in the way. Mr. Pizzarelli also supplies some guitar on a track or two. Personnel: Hilary Kole (vocals, piano); John Pizzarelli (guitar); Tedd Firth (piano); Paul Gill (bass instrument, bass guitar); Mark McLean (drums, drum).Arranger: Hilary Kole. JazzTimes: "Give her a great story to unravel and an earthier, more assured Kole emerges. You can hear it on Alec Wilder's pensive 'Blackberry Winter'..."