A rare appearance by jazz singer/comedienne Lea DeLaria was the highlight of Terese Genecco's Last Call show at the cozy Rrazz Room. DeLaria, who started her career here back in the '80s has gone on to become a multi-faceted star of stage and music. Combining her ribald humor with a wonderful jazz sensibility, DeLaria took the audience and Genecco's "little big band" on one exhilarating ride. Opening with a backing trio of Tammy Hall on piano, Daniel Fabricant on bass and Kelly Park on the drums, DeLaria showed off her style with jazz transposed version of Harold Arlen's "Down with Love." Next up was a Cajun flavored "Miss Otis Regrets" and Cole Porter's blues had DeLaria put the trio through the paces. Calling on Genecco's horn section, DeLaria ripped through Arlen/Kohler's "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" and included her trademark scat skills, challenging the band o follow her lead. The arrangement was a knockout and displays Delaria's considerable talents (her father, jazz pianist Robert DeLaria taught her a great deal). "You Don't Know What Love Is" showed her softer side before she closed her mini set with a rousing rendition of the George Shearing hit "Jumpin with Symphony Sid." DeLaria has made a name for herself on Broadway, on the comedy stage and in the recording studio. Here's hoping she returns to San Francisco real soon.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
January 24, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org