By Larry Blumenfeld 16 minutes ago

NEW YORK (Billboard) - It's no surprise to hear Andy Bey's rich baritone gracefully aloft, singing the title track of his latest CD, "It Ain't Necessarily So."

At 68, he still possesses perfect breath support. That quality, along with an unerring sense of swing and his own idiosyncratically brilliant piano playing, has made him a favorite among jazz insiders.

But even Bey was surprised at the chart position the album has achieved. It jumps from No. 10 to No. 7 this week on Top Jazz Albums, keeping company with such heavy hitters as Tony Bennett and Diana Krall. It also reached No. 49 on the Heatseekers chart, an uncommon accomplishment for a jazz disc.

"Necessarily" isn't exactly a new recording. It was released in late October 2007, and recorded in 1997 at Bey's first major Manhattan club gig after more than 20 years away from the scene. Since his return, in collaboration with Herb Jordan, who serves as producer, adviser and sometime songwriter, Bey has recorded five albums showcasing his mixture of virility, tenderness and spiritual heft.

The sales success is, for Jordan, validation of tiny independent label 12th Street Records, which is built largely on a belief in Bey's talents, and of the do-it-yourself approach employed for the album.

"Our strategy was to start with Andy and to build a free-standing independent label," Jordan said. "We pay the cost of production, manufacturing, promotion and publicity. We direct it all, and that way, Andy's voice resonates through all of it."

Reuters/Billboard