Clairdee performances in her home town are special occasions, so rare that she made her Rrazz Room debut in the three-year-old club with her buoyant love-fest for the Gershwin brothers.  This show allowed Clairdee, who is comfortable in jazz, swing, R&B and pop, to swing elegantly through very popular material, giving it her own distinct soulful twist.

The rhythm section of Jim Zimmerman on drums and Ruth Davies on bass set the swing motif into high gear, creating exciting layers of backbeat that propelled simple songs like “I Got Rhythm” and “’S Wonderful” into Clairdee originals. A sensational “How Long Has This Been Going On?” with a bossa nova drum beat is a perfect example of her gift for tweaking a classic by adding her sultry vocals and emotional depth.  She brought out the sensual longing in “The Man I Love” and the Ira Gershwin/Kurt Weill song “My Ship” (with some lovely guitar work by John Hoy).  On wishing she had met her husband earlier, she sang the sweet “Isn’t It a Pity?”

A medley of “Love Walked In”/”Mine”/”Love Is Sweeping the Country” was smart and seamless. Her tribute to Porgy and Bess showed the artistry that Clairdee brings to her material. “There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York” showed off the band with some great instrumental work, “Summertime” was soul-driven and deeply heartfelt, and  “I Loves You, Porgy” slow and deliberately measured.

Her arrangements, by husband/pianist Ken French, challenge the traditional interpretations just enough to elicit keen interest in Clairdee’s stylings. By the set’s closing, “Oh, Lady, Be Good!,” her love of the Gershwins’ timeless classics was palpable, exciting and fresh.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
April 19, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org