Dolores Scozzesi
Here Comes the Sun
The E-Spot Lounge, Studio City, CA, April 22, 2016
Reviewed by Mary Bogue for Cabaret Scenes
Dolores Scozzesi is the sun itself. From the moment she takes the stage, she shines. It’s as if all the planets have aligned to travel around her; incredible musicians falling into place and circling this enormous talent. Her up-tempo, crowd pleaser, “Here Comes the Sun” (George Harrison), was a gorgeous crack of dawn, a jazzy and innovative spin with Scozzesi a moving celebration surrendering to spirit.
She took us south of the Equator with her take on “You Fascinate Me So” (Carolyn Leigh/Cy Coleman), sharing a munificent Latin swing to warm her appreciative audience. Just as you cannot stop the sun from shining, nor can you stop her authentic movement in a change of energy to the Richie Havens-recorded “High Flying Bird” (Billy Edd Wheeler), with intuitive percussion support from Kevin Winard against Quinn Johnson’s soaring piano. Her gypsy spell of “It’s All Right with Me” (Cole Porter) captivated, and then she enlisted violinist Calabria Foti in a weave of a magic charm with Winard.
“Everything Must Change” (Benard Ighner) was in loving hands with her and guest vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia echoing the driving beat, and Johnson’s heavenly-bodied piano. And change it did, from “I’m in the Mood for Love” (Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields) as never heard before, to an emotional and breathtaking “Maria’s Eyes” (Andrei Konchalovski/Keith Carradine) with Dori Amarillio’s glowing guitar. Alberta Hunter’s “The Love I Have for You” burned, and “A Face Like Yours”/”I’ll Be Seeing You” (Victor Feldman & Tommy Wolf/ Sammy Fain & Irving Kahal), was a powerful tribute to her wildly successful director Mark Winkler’s late husband.
In concluding, Scozzesi scorched the evening, bequeathing a wildly driven “Night and Day” (Porter) and ,as every sunrise demands, offered “One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)” (Bob Dylan), leaving the full house hot and ready for more.
Dolores Scozzesi is already back to work, conjuring more sunshine to celebrate the music of Richie Havens.
