On his eleventh studio outing, “For Every Man There’s a Woman,” Jack Wood reaffirms his standing as one of the most reliable interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Released on Jazz Hang Records, the album is a polished, elegantly paced collection that finds Wood singing at the height of his expressive powers.
Wood has long favored a warm and rhythmically assured approach, which serves him beautifully here. Surrounded by a rotating cast of top-tier West Coast players including the trio led by Lenore Raphael and guitarist Doug MacDonald, he delivers performances filled with his storytelling charm.
The album opens with a soothing delivery of the titular track, “For Every Man There’s a Woman.” further down the track list, Henry Mancini’s cinematic classic, “Two for the Road,” becomes one of the album’s emotional anchors. Arranged by Joe Lano and framed with tasteful strings, the track unfolds with unhurried grace.
Wood offers a buoyant change of pace with the bossa nova staple, “Tristeza.” This track finds him singing in Portuguese with a light and breezy rhythmic feel. the flute lines add a sunny sophistication, and Wood sounds genuinely joyful as he rides the groove with relaxed precision.
The album closes with a spirited rendition of Stephen Sondheim’s theatrical gem, “Pretty Women,” backed by the Jerry Floor Salt Lake Jazz Orchestra. Wood meets the song’s dramatic sweep head-on, projecting confidently over the brass while maintaining his trademark warmth. It’s a bold, brassy finale that leaves the listener on a high note.
What makes For Every Man There’s a Woman so compelling is its balance. Wood moves seamlessly between ballads, swingers, bossa nova, and Broadway fare without the album ever feeling disjointed. The arrangements are key here, with a purely acoustic instrumentation that’s unfailingly tasteful.
Most importantly, Wood understands the art of interpretation. In a jazz landscape that often chases novelty, he instead doubles down on craft. With For Every Man There’s a Woman, Jack Wood proves once again that great songs, sung with sincerity and swing, are timeless.