At her Metropolitan Room gig, Lynn Loosier took an ample handful of familiar jazz standards, including "Willow Weep For Me," "Love for Sale," and "In the Still of the Night," personalizing each one of them so that, for those new to Loosier's performances, it was almost as if they were being heard for the first time. Loosier has a strong voice that she uses to great effect, riveting those in her audience as much as entertaining them. "Fly Me to the Moon" was delivered with an intensity that composer Bart Howard would have relished.

Musical Director Tedd Firth's arrangements, his piano and the added support of Steve Doyle on bass and Peter Grant on drums -- a group that understood they were supporting the vocalist, not competing with her -- completed a perfect ensemble. The instrumental breaks, and there were many, were displays of impressive virtuosity.

Many jazz vocalists get lost in their own reveries while singing. Not this songbird. Loosier never lost sight of, or touch with her audience. She introduced the Ellington classic "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing" softly, almost privately. And with the instrumental trio in joyous tow, unhurriedly built to a jumping, thumping finish. "Never," a Loosier/Firth original performed as a duo by Loosier and guest Robert Vest, was a "love found - love lost" charmer.

Lynn Loosier will be presenting a Christmas show at the Metropolitan Room on December 2nd at 4 pm. This show will return after the first of the year.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
September 26, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org