The jazz-phobic cabaret fan’s cure: one healthy dose of Mary Foster Conklin’s focused performance. October 7th Iridium Jazz Club sets showed how vocalists can stay true to jazz sensibilities, being hip and experimental musically, but keeping plenty of focus on lyrics. She sets moods, not just tempi. Mary digs into the story, she doesn’t just dig her accomplished musicians shining on generous solos (John di Martino. leader).

I’ve always liked her singing; years ago, I sometimes found her a bit glum or too inside the music (or herself). No longer. Warmer, directly addressing the audience, making emotional contact and responding, she shares. Commenting on America’s economic woes with clear-eyed perspective, telling song histories, she becomes a friend. And she’s never sounded better. Interpretations and vocal tones just go deeper. “Angel Eyes,” “Billie’s Blue,” “Route 66” … you can feel her feeling these well-desivered, well-crafted songs.

The appearance was part of Iridium’s ongoing Tuesday series curated by Scott Barbarino, featuring big bands (sometimes very big; singers often featured). Prefer not to drink?  The minimum can apply to food – a real plus (and the food’s super and varied).

Mary’s in The Cabaret Convention November 1st. And, certainly, she’s in the groove.     

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
Ocotber 7, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org