As Judy Barnett and her band were filling the bandstand, the audience at Smoke sat back in anticipation of the particular magic she and the band would create.  They wouldn’t be disappointed.  The five instrumentalists were a thoroughly professional group, polished and experienced, backing up an accomplished jazz singer.

The arrangements were well structured, whether a touching lament such as Rodgers and Hart’s “Spring is Here” or a Barnett original written with her pianist, Ted Kooshian, “Hammertown Blues.”

Barnett has an easy-going manner that reflects her delight with her program. Spirited and lively, she sings with enthusiasm evoking memories of jazz vocalists Anita O’Day, June Christy and Dinah Washington. However, make no mistake; Judy Barnett is an original. She gets inside a song and makes it hers. A new song, “I Told You I Love You (Now Get Out),” is up-tempo, as is Dave Frishberg’s “I Can’t Take You Nowhere.” The engaging lyrics of both songs are integral to the fun.  Barnett also titillated her audience with some of her own newly minted lyrics to Cole Porter’s “Just One Of Those Things,” broadly satirizing current politicians’ sexual peccadilloes. 

It is gratifying to listen to a jazz vocalist who knows her business and is pleased to share her joy in it, backed up by top-notch musicians including Ted Kooshian, Nick Russo on guitar, Doug Largent on bass, Joe Acione on drums and percussionist Marshal Rosenberg.

Seymour Spilka
Cabaret Scenes
April 10, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org