Matthew Fogg’s first CD (with long-time vocalist partner Nicole Hajj) was released in the spring of 2005. “Live at the Azure Café” seemed to take on a life of its own, garnering a number of glowing reviews. Jazz Now, for example stated “the CD is pure delight from start to finish, full of fresh musical surprises from the band and Hajj’s wonderful voice. But what truly puts it over the top are Fogg’s playing and arrangements. He is an exceptionally gifted arranger, capable of making the oldest standards sound contemporary and fresh.”
Such sentiments were echoed by Good Times Magazine: “Fogg’s arranging skills are the equal of his fluid, expert piano style. Fogg’s playing is innovative without being overwhelming, proving himself a musician’s musician.”
Reviews of this sort helped the disc slowly gain radio airplay in numerous states, as well as in half-a-dozen jazz-friendlier countries. All in all, it’s been quite an accomplishment for an independent CD with no advertising/publicity budget!