Nearness - Clear Smoke LP (Clear, Smok)

An intimate testament to a twenty-year musical kinship, Nearness brings together the singular voice of Lizz Wright and the masterly piano and organ playing of Kenny Banks Sr. Born from a chance meeting decades ago, where an impromptu blues version of "Amazing Grace" changed Wright's artistic path, this collaborative album explores the profound space where jazz standards, sacred spirituals, and personal memories intersect. From the resilient power of the lead single "Soon I'll Be Done" to the striking vulnerability of the title track, Nearness celebrates the endurance, joy, and transformative power of a kindred spirit.