Shaynee Rainbolt is certainly living the charmed life. A simple song suggestion from a close friend (Julie London's cover of "Go Slow") launched her onto a once in a lifetime project that has re-ignited fervor for the music of legendary arranger/composer Russell Garcia and kindled new passion and direction for Rainbolt's talents. Having won MAC Awards for Best Jazz Recording (Charmed Life) and Song of the Year ("I Remember" from Charmed Life), Rainbolt brought her four trombone band to Yoshi's and it's easy to see why she's achieved such acclaim.

There is an enthusiastic audience for the revival of the classic big band '40s, '50s and '60s sound. Terese Genecco and her Little Big Band and San Francisco's iconic Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers have paved the way in cabaret for this interest, and Rainbolt has assembled a smart unit that re-creates the Garcia sound (piano, standup bass, drums and four trombones (three tenor and one bass). Garcia's arrangements are the finest you'll hear, whether on an uptempo standard ("Lover Come Back to Me"), the theme song from one of Garcia's film scores ("When I First Saw You" from Atlantis, the Lost Continent) or a sizzling cover of the Dave Brubeck instrumental "Take Five." The four trombones are pure magic, adding subtle underscoring for a ballad ("I Remember") or braying confidently on the swinging "Charmed Life." Local bassist Daniel Fabricant has never sounded better.

Great Gracia arrangements put the focus squarely on the vocalist and the pressure is on to deliver, and Rainbolt does. "Go Slow" is breathy and sultry like the London original. Anita O'Day's cover of Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays" (arranged by Garcia) was beautifully handled with Rainbolt's timing and phrasing. The languid "Five A.M." is a '40s ballad that works with Rainbolt's range. The uptempo standard "Lover Comer Back to Me" sizzled. Rainbolt is smart to allow Garcia's arrangements to carry the music forward without the musicians overpowering her vocals. The result is an inspiration that revitalizes a seldom heard genre. Rainbolt channels the great vocalists of an earlier time (Julie Christy, Anita O'Day, Julie London and Cleo Laine) and it'll be interesting to see if this develops into her own distinctive style.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
July 22, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org