I still continue to be amazed by the quality of original music for children. Both familiar artists and new acts are creating worthy projects that are helping develop the family music scene. The self-titled debut from Coal Train Railroad is one of these projects, and a new discovery for our family.

Coal Train Railroad is a collection of original jazz tunes written specifically for children and performed by professional, seasoned jazz musicians. The talent behind the project is writer/co-creator/vocalist Katy Bowser, producer/bassist Chris Donohue (Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Collective Soul), and Grammy-winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Dave Matthews Band). Creator Katy Bowser’s musical background includes a degree in Music Performance and three adult-targeted albums. Before the album was even sent to me for review, it already was building ample buzz from critics, musicians, parents, educators and, of course, kids.

You know you are in for something unique and special with Coal Train Railroad right from track one, a story-song that has a girl unexpectedly boarding the jazzy, metaphorical Coal Train. The journey takes off from there with “My Mouth and Me,” a kid’s spin on scatting where Katy and the band have some serious fun with sound play. From there, instant classics “Bellybutton Stays The Same” and “Snuggling Suits Me Just Fine” play back-to-back, showcasing Katy’s fantastic throwback vocals that adults are sure to appreciate while covering lyrical ground (bellybuttons, snuggle time) that kids will enjoy. In “I Need a Nap” the band brings out a slow, sultry blue-note sound, with lyrics that replace swooning over a lover with the story of a grouchy child in need of a few hours of sleep.

The album also swings, toots, jams and riffs through subjects like the joy of juice, sharing and listening. This project is truly a delight and unique in its execution. These are real musicians, playing real instruments and not a jazz-lite effort pandering to kids. An effort like Coal Train Railroad is sure to inspire future jazz lovers and make them aware of other genres at an early, impressionable age. In the meantime, I hope this album continues to build the audience it so deserves.

The Coal Train Railroad album can be purchased at their official site as well as on iTunes and Amazon.