New from the Extraordinary Jazz Vocalist Lynette Washington "Smoky Dawn" includes 14 great jazz ballads from Duke's "In A Sentimental Mood" to Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" REVIEWS Jazz Improv Lynette Washington Live at Creole Cafe December 10, 2005 By Mercy Monet It continues to amaze me how so many talented and awesome performers seem to slip through the cracks and are never heard of. This is the case in the underestimated talents of vocalist Lynette Washington. I had not heard of her until she won the Jazzmobile Anheuser-Bush Jazz Vocal Competition this past summer. I happen to attend the semi-finalists show and when I saw and heard her sing, I knew that she would win. Not that the other five semi-finalists were any less talented They were all excellent, but Lynette had that special spark that was burning brightly and her star was on fire. I didn't attend the finals, but heard that she indeed won as I had predicted. Lynette is a true veteran and it shows in her performance. She has traveled around the world and sings in several languages. Her natural singing style is grounded in jazz, R&B and gospel music. She has worked with the great Aretha Franklin, U2, and Peter Gabriel, and she's recorded several radio and TV commercials. Lynette's performance at Creole's Restaurant was exceptional. The accompanying trio, headed by pianist and Musical Director Dennis Bell, warmed up the audience with a great take on All Blues.She began with a rousing rendition of Duke Ellington's classic, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, and with the next number, proceeded with a change of rhythm to a Latin feel of Nature Boy.Her voice was supple and dynamic and had a great range of flexibility. Her rich, earthy alto tonality was relaxing and soothing to the ear. Next up was a Christmas tune, Long, Long Ago, a ballad with improvised melody, followed by an original penned by Dennis Bell and W. Nesbit, entitled, Always Christmas,done in a medium Latin tempo.Route 66 was introduced with an energetic, medium blues shuffle, and the audience joined in clapping to the beat. Ms. Washington played and bantered with the audience and they responded enthusiastically. At this point, Lynette informed the audience that she would be right back and left the stage. Her competent trio kept the groove going with a Miles Davis tune, So What, until she returned. When she appeared, Ms. Washington returned to the stage in a flaming red outfit and promptly went into a sensual and sexy impromptu of Peggy Lee's Fever.She tantalized and teased the audience and even the band members with her playful, sensuous moves and dance. Washington has the ability of entertaining and making her audience feel comfortable and at home, while mesmerizing them with her vocal prominence. She then segued into a samba feel version of “All The Things You Are,and then cooled down the pace. There was a soulful duet with Dennis Bell on piano of My Foolish Heart,for the first chorus, then bass and drums joining in. Washington saved the best for last: a tour-de-force performance of Four Women, a Nina Simone tune. For those few magical moments in time, Lynette embodied Nina Simone in singing this perennial piece. She surrendered and committed herself to the emotional contents of the lyrics creating a fabulous performance. The audience showed their approval and appreciation by thunderous applause and cheers. Look out for this diva's next appearance around the Big Apple. CD Title: Smoky Dawn Year: 2004 Record Label: Guavajamm Entertainment Style: Jazz Vocals Musicians: Lynette Washington, vocals. Dennis Bell, piano. Review: The husky-sweet voice of Lynette Washington lights up the night with a collection of American Standards that is sure to please the jazz listening audience. Direct, warm, imaginative, the vocals and piano work are superb. There are fourteen songs on the CD. Among the lovely songs are found "In A Sentimental Mood," "All The Things You Are," "Cry Me A River," "Here's That Rainy Day," "Someone To Watch Over Me," and "When I Fall In Love. "The emotional highs touch the audience in a sensitive way, each song telling a story that lingers in the mind. A fine collection in all ways. Record Label Website: http://www.guavajamm.net Reviewed by: Lee Prosser |
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