“New York City’s for me,” sings Pamela Luss in her opening song “Big City” (M.Jenkins) at her Birdland debut.  From the looks and sound of the full house, it’s obvious that New York City is for Pamela Luss!

Pamela is a young contemporary pop jazz artist vying with several others on the scene who are making their way to the top. It ain’t easy! But she is on her way. Her debut evening was in anticipation of her third CD Magnet recorded on HighNote/Savant Records (Todd Barkan, producer) due out June 10, 2008 featuring the renowned saxophonist Houston Person and vocalist Freddy Cole.

Surrounding herself with some of New York’s finest musicians – Tedd Firth on piano, Joel Frahm on tenor and soprano sax, Richie Goods on bass and Mark McLean on drums, Pamela segues into Frank Loesser’s “I’ve Never Been In Love Before” featuring a solo highlight by Tedd Firth on piano, followed by “I Wonder Where Our love Has Gone” (W. Johnson). She’s got the proverbial good set of pipes possessing a smooth and smoky quality. She’s attractive and sexy looking with long dark hair. Her tendency is to move her body suggestively when listening to musical interludes which might be better served with the less is better theory since the illusion it gives is “I should be doing something.”

The title of her new album Magnet is an original song written by Ray Passman (present in the audience) and Herb Wasserman. Pamela brings a supple and silky quality to this Latin Rhythm that enhances.  She stands out on her interpretative nuances of Legrand/Bergman’s “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.” But watch out because sometimes her nasal quality can have a tendency to flatten a tone.  With great song choices like Allen/Stillman’s “No, Not Much,” the Bossa “Wild Is Love” (Wayne/Rasch) followed by Sigman/VanHeusen’s “I Could Have Told You” paired with “Glad To Be Unhappy” (Rodgers/Hart), we’re listening to a nice eclectic mix while being treated to some musical solos that are spectacular by these top-of-the-line musicians. “Day by Day” (S.Schwartz) from Godspell was an appealing fast swing arrangement including some scat. “Moon River” (Mancini/Mercer) showed off the versatility of Joel Frahm on sax. Mickey Leonard was in the audience to hear Pamela sing his lilting “Why Did I Choose You?” Pamela has a real feel for the bluesy “Touch of the Blues (George/Wilcox) and Loughbrough/Wheat’s fun lyrics in “Better Than Anything,” was a highlight for her.

Pamela is learning the art of cabaret genre performance and should include some patter so we get to know more about her personally. I’m sure she’d have lots of amusing and wonderful things to tell!  Some well known musicians/singers in the audience included Daryl Sherman, LaTanya Hall and Darryl Tookes. 

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
May 12, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org