Dr. Art LaPierre directs the American River College Vocal Jazz Ensemble, seven college students, four men and three women studying music and jazz vocals at the American River College in Sacramento, CA. Also included are the 17-strong American River College Community Vocal Jazz Ensemble on 'Exactly Like You,' and the 4-man Capital Jazz Project, providing piano, bass, drums and sax accompaniment. Our favorites among the 9 tunes are Rodgers & Hammerstein's title tune, Paul Simon's 'Cecilia,' Weill and Gershwin's sweetly harmonic a cappella 'My Ship,' Brainin/Berner's upbeat, jazzy 'The Night Has A Thousand Eyes,' and Gross/Lawrence's marvelously arranged, a cappella 'Tenderly.' 'Hello' is wonderful stuff, as good as any (mostly accompanied) collegiate Jazz album we've heard. It's no surprise that the debut recording of this group won the 2002 Downbeat Magazine Award for Collegiate Vocal Jazz Groups!