Arriving in a slinky black outfit, her chestnut-colored hair worn long, Jane Monheit looked exactly like the star she is.  This was her first full-length show with singer/songwriter/pianist Peter Eldridge, her voice teacher of twenty years, and Joel Frahm, a well-respected tenor sax player with an exceptional ability to coax warm, rich tones from his instrument. Monheit opened with “No Tomorrow” (“Acaso”) written by Eldridge, Ivan Lins and Abel Silva, her soulful voice blending perfectly with Eldridge and Frahm’s imaginative playing, producing a melodic call and response.

Still shy of 35, Monheit has been winning new fans since high school.  Her recently released CD, Home, is the latest in a long line of recordings stretching back to 2000.  Having addressed many of the greatest standards of the American Songbook, Monheit has become one of its finest practitioners.

“Around Us” derived from a James Thurber quote was performed with a beautiful, celestial-like harmony that suggested chant.  Ms. Monheit has a way with Latin-inflected music, such as “Warm December,” “Chega de Saudade” (in which she sang the Portuguese lyrics with obvious fluency) and a fast-paced “My Foolish Heart,” providing an opportunity for Frahm to contribute an exquisite solo.

Eldridge played a gently atmospheric introduction to the Depression-era heartbreaker “For All We Know,” the sadly fatalistic words, “So love me tonigh/tomorrow was made for some/tomorrow may never come/for all we know,” delivered by Monheit wistfully, as intended by the songwriters.

There was no doubt that most in the audience were delighted. Although Ms. Monheit’s gorgeous ballads were superb, her supporters responded enthusiastically whenever the tempo picked up. Her sexy, dreamy voice is always pleasing to the ear and her duets with Peter Eldridge were excellent. The addition of Joel Frahm (who’s worked with Monheit before) was inspired.

Jerry Osterberg
Cabaret Scenes
May 30, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org