Sheila Jordan: Live At Mezzrow

Sheila Jordan is a living jazz legend. Since coming to New York City in 1950 at the encouragement of Charlie Parker, she is one of, if not the last, living link to a time and a place in the jazz world that is the subject of hagiography, myth and occasionally reality. With a voice that is uniquely her own, it is possible that in the course of a single song interpretation, Jordan's voice can sound morose and honeyed, supple and compelling, along with her usual spontaneity. Over the course of her long career, there is very little she has not seen, and probably more than she cares to remember.

The session Live At Mezzrow was recorded on October 25, 2021 at the New York jazz club, with Jordan accompanied by the always imaginative pianist Alan Broadbent and her bassist of choice, Harvie S. The live session covers standards from the Great American Songbook as well as a couple of bop oriented songs. Additionally the duo of Broadbent and Harvie S are given space to do their thing on Cole Porter's " What Is This Thing Called Love " and Miles Davis's "Blue In Green."

Jordan begins this recital with the Abbey Lincoln number "Bird Alone." That tune along with "The Bird & Confirmation" are gifts that just keep on giving as she delivers on that cross section of vocal skills from ballad intensity to scat that is swinging and sturdy. The songbook standards cover readily recognizable numbers starting with the Ray Noble composition "The Touch Of Your Lips." This begins with the little heard opening verse, Jordan then swings into a run through of the melody, before scatting effortlessly.

The Hoagy Carmichael composition "Baltimore Oriole," although perhaps not an American standard, has some interesting quirky lyrics such as: "Baltimore Oriole/ Took a look at the mercury, forty below/ No life for a lady/ To be draggin' her feathers around in the snow." These are a perfect fit for Jordan as she can imbue them with her unique vocal style and interpretation. Although uncredited on the liner notes, this number segues to Cole Porter's "I Concentrate On You" on which she delivers a wonderfully fresh reading.

The closing track "Lucky To Be Me" is a composition by Green/Comden/Bernstein written for the 1944 Broadway musical . After a regular run through of the lyrics, Jordan closes out the session with musical acknowledgement of the fine work of Broadbent and Harvie S, which is a fitting ending to a special evening.

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