Sounds like Diane Schuur, looks like Diane Schuur, but who’s that singing the Patsy Cline hit “Why Can’t He Be You,” Merle Haggard’s blockbuster “Today I Started Loving You Again” and Tammy Wynette’s “Til I Get It Right?”  Straightforward country hits comprised a large portion of her set, a nod to her latest CD, The Gathering, a collection of country tunes mildly infused with Schuur’s jazz stylings.

Diane of course, is a jazz musician and backed by a phenomenal quartet (Tony Moore on drums, John Nastos on sax, Michael Sims on guitars and Roberto Vally on bass), she immerses herself totally into each composition. Her notes and instrumental mimicry grab your ear and doesn’t let go. A majestic version of Chuck Mangione’s “Land of Make Believe” shows why she’s a Grammy winner, with sensational instrumental runs and vocal gymnastics.   “Every Day I Have the Blues” follows in Count Basie’s swing/jazz transformation of the Memphis Slim blues.  Schuur loves a romantic ballad and feels very comfortable on the Ivan Lins/Paul Williams ballad “Love Dance.”

When Schuur and the band get in a groove, and the chemistry is flowing, she’s at the top of her game. The encore of her most popular hit “Louisiana Sunday Afternoon” is pure joy – the smoothest of pop jazz performed at its ultimate.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
November 16, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org