Live At Mezzrow
Cellar, 2022
8/10
The veteran jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan returned to the stage after nearly a decade long hiatus in 2021, and the performance is captured here with Harvie S on bass and Alan Broadbent playing piano across the 10 jazz standards.
“Bird Alone” opens the listen with warm, elegant piano to complement Jordan’s poetic delivery that tips it hat to the early days of vocal jazz, and “The Touch Of Your Lips” follows with some playful crowd interaction that leads into the upbeat and romantic spirit of the playful vocal scatting.
Halfway through the set, “Look For The Silver Lining” is a wise and powerful display of much emotion, while “Falling In Love With Love” showcases the precise bass work amid Jordan’s mix of talking and singing that’s quite charming.
Further along, the rhythm section works together fluidly in the stylish and timeless album highlight “Autumn In New York”, and “Lucky To Be Me” exits the listen with Jordan’s booming and expressive pipes sounding incredible for being in her ‘90s.
A pioneer in the area of bepop and an artist who can swing with the best of them, Jordan’s commanding voice handles the melodies splendidly, and the soulfulness of her craft certainly hasn’t waned in her 7 decade career.
Travels well with: Aaron Seeber- First Move; Shannon Gunn- On A Mountain