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"Second Time Around," the name of Denise Perrier's new CD, is poetically fitting. It is a wonderful flower that managed to grow out the ashes of the now-closed Jazz at Pearl's.

I had the pleasure of having a very small hand in the conception of this CD. Denise wanted to record live with her old buddy, saxophonist Houston Person. I arranged a Monday night "tagalong" after Houston's run at Pearl's that previous weekend.

Listening to the finished CD now, I can feel that unmistakable flushing warmth that I used to get when hearing a really great concert in that wonderfully intimate room. I know pianist Tammy Hall's playing like my own voice, and the sound of her playing the old baby grand at Pearl's is like my mother's call. Houston, of course, is always wonderful, and Denise is in particularly fine form herself on this date. She has really managed to capture a magical night in this CD. And listening a second time around, this concert sounds even better.

Jazz vocalist Denise Perrier celebrates the release of "Second Time Around" on Monday, April 13 at Yoshi's San Francisco; showtimes are 8 and 10pm. See you there.