Joanne Tatham celebrated the release of her new holiday CD, The Merriest, with a show that combined holiday numbers with some jazz standards. A quintet, led by pianist and Musical Director Peter Smith, featuring Billy Hulting on vibes and percussion, provided a swinging framework, allowing Joanne to swing right along with them. She could have titled her show, Christmas in Brazil, because of the infectious Latin rhythms that accompanied many of the songs, including the holiday selections.

Her warm, inviting voice was particularly effective when reaching for notes in her lower register. Including the Matt Dennis/Tom Adair standard “Violets for Your Furs,” was an inspired choice for a holiday song, and her full range was nicely on display in her slow, dreamy take on it. Billy Hulting and the rest of the quintet turned the mood to “holiday with a beat” as Joanne offered up joyful takes on “The Christmas Waltz” and “The Merriest" (Arnold E. Miller, Jr./Connie H. Pearce).

Exemplifying the spirit of Christmas as a season for sharing, Joanne shared the spotlight with Mark Arthur Miller as she sang “White Christmas” while he was crooning “Blue Christmas.” It was a charming touch and a satisfying way to bring the evening to a close, followed only by Joanne’s wish for “Happy Holidays” and an encore medley of “Count Your Blessings” and “Time After Time.”

Joanne delivered a thoroughly entertaining evening and producer Clifford Bell had all the elements in place to ensure its success.

Joanne brings Jardin Botanico to Feinstein's at Loews Regency in NYC Nov. 13 & 14.

Les Traub
Cabaret Scenes
October 28, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org