Nnenna Freelon should be a household name, making regular television appearances.  In a world full of sound-alikes, copycats, and automatic standing ovations, Nnenna (pronounced NEE-na) has her own lovely tone, a truly unique style and an endearing manner that call for loud, prolonged standing Os. Add to that a gorgeous face, a tight combo and impeccable song selection.  But her grand slam is her stage manner.

I've seen the world class entertainers going back to Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Maurice Chevalier, Sammy Davis, Billy Daniels, Jr., Louis Jordan, Natalie Cole, and more, but Freelon tops them all—with no gimmicks!  The only person I'm reminded of is Eartha Kitt, for her slinky, erotic moves.  Freelon, however, is making no special effort to be sexy.  Her continuous movement, which would wear thin quite quickly if insincere, combines conducting, African dancing and serpentine "hand ballet."  Her accompanists supplement these gestures with remarkable timing.  As she stated, "This group is about arrangements."  Moreso, it is about an elevating, mood-altering performance that left me "high" all the way home.

Slim and shapely in a black cocktail dress, she shed her shoes early in the game.  Her smile had us before she opened her mouth.  Song selections were all standards, if we count blues as evergreens (what could be greener)?  Her original, "Cell Phone Blues," was a charmer.

At mid-point, she sequenced three show-stopping stunners:  "God Bless the Child," a heart-wrenching "You've Changed" and "Skylark," with her growl-trombone imitation recalling Duke Ellington's jungle band.

Her carefully worded spoken introductions, usually over soft instrumental backgrounds, were very effective.

The only real blight was quickly corrected.  The first few tunes were marred by a loud drummer, an overly enthusiastic percussionist (who otherwise proved her worth throughout), and a slightly overly-amplified bass.   I spoke to an usher who immediately reported the comment, after which the band corrected the situation.  Her pianist, Miki Hayama, was praiseworthy throughout.

People could argue forever whether Freelon is a cabaret performer or a jazz stylist.  She is superb at both...but how many jazz singers have such class?

Eric Stevens
Cabaret Scenes
March 11, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org