Nothin’ unusual about Nat King Cole tributes. Lee Summers’s especially satisfying show overlapped with one he directed (for singer Cleve Douglass). Bistro Award-winning Lee, the Triad’s booker/presenter of its Just a Piano series, took the mic himself and took the audience on a smooth ride. No mere glide down Memory Lane nestling in Nat nostalgia here. He sure can hold his own, hold a note and hold an audience (one that included the icon’s beaming daughter, Timolin). With natural charisma and melisma, hands-in-pockets cas- ually hip charm, effective a capella moments and particularly attractive rich low notes, this is tasty. While tipping his hat to Cole with treatments referencing the classic renditions, sometimes consciously (?) making some of the distinctive vowel sounds, this cool cat is no copycat. He’s a zillion miles from that, with as many smiles that show his joy in the material and in performing.

Accompanist Alva Nelson played the piano side of Cole’s musicianship, reserved at times, only getting appealingly expansive solos later. Folksy patter contained too many references to the songs being “re-mixed” and understandably Fan Club-ish accolades rather than perspective or new bio tidbits. Among so many standards and the “usual suspects” trademarks, a novelty number or oddity would be welcome. Still, he can sizzle and swing breezily and playfully, then turn around and mine surprising vulnerability with, of all things, “It’s Only a Paper Moon” (slowed down). “Sweet Lorraine” was sweet as pie and in “Tenderly” we had a tender Lee. I so “L-O-V-E” this.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
March 14, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org