Musings on a night off

Well, I'm almost at the end of one of my most musically eclectic months in some time. Five gigs more before it's over. I am still buzzing from the pleasure of being Dawnie Love's backup singer this past Thursday. I spend most of my time in the jazz world, and it was a great experience to work with a talented pop band. As a backup singer I got to half-watch the show from my spot on the sidelines, and by the end I was a huge fan! Happily I'll get a chance to play with them again next month at their next show. Aw yeah!

That same night, I met Brad back in Manhattan at WOR's radio station, to sing on The Joey Reynolds Show at midnight. I almost fell asleep on the couch before we went on, but as soon as we started I was wide awake and happy to be there. What a curious and interesting guy Joey Reynolds is. He comes across as a curmudgeon, and says wild, sweeping statements about anything that crosses his mind. But he is super smart and can back up everything he says. He is as honest and plain spoken a person as I have met. So, that was a nice end to the night: we played some tunes on his show and then headed for home.

And my band played last night at The 55 Bar for our monthly spot. Man, what a great place to play, and how much do I appreciate the guys I play with? More than I can say, that's for sure. They bring such a good vibe and so much good music to the table. We played some new arrangements last night, made some new fans, saw some friends. I can't wait to record again with them, and really hope that our tour plans come together.

I must admit, I'm writing this in my pajamas, at 9pm, glass of wine in hand. I am so happy for this day off! All I did was work on my website and bake cookies today :)
It's been a lot of rehearsals and new music and shows lately. Some of the prep has been for these next ones coming up, for which I have to be up to speed on all the Latin music I know and some I don't know. I like being so busy and having deadlines, and it makes having a day off extremely pleasant!

Photos from Tutuma Social Club this week

A wonderful 2-night stint at the new Afro-Peruvian club in midtown Manhattan. I played with Freddie "Huevito" Lobaton, Yuri Juarez and Ramon de Bruyn.

New review from Scott Yanow, in May's issue of Los Angeles Jazz Scene

"Singers rarely perform that extensively with organists, but Kelsey Jillette has the power and the spirit to do quite well in that setting and has led an organ group for over seven years. On The Water Is Wide she is joined by organist Brad Whiteley, baritonist Tom Abbott, guitarist Hiro Honma and drummer Adam Pache, and although she is first among equals, the singer is part of the band rather than acting as a diva with sidemen. Ms. Jillette arranged most of the songs, resulting in surprising versions of such songs as Bill Evans’ “Turn Out The Stars,” “Hot House” (which is given a Latin feel), “Honeysuckle Rose” and a medley of “The Water Is Wide” and Dizzy Gillespie’s “Con Alma.” The performances are consistently full of unexpected grooves but without a drop in musical quality. Kelsey Jillette’s phrasing is very appealing, her voice is flexible and easy to understand, and the musicians are excellent. While this is her third recording, The Water Is Wide is Kelsey Jillette’s first widely available CD. It serves as a very impressive introduction to the potentially significant singer, available from www.kelseyjillette.com."

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Post-gig musings and plans for Saturday

Back late tonight from a gig at Swing 46 with The Big Bang Big Band, and up much later reading the news and unwinding.  It's so cool to work with a good big band. Unlike my own gigs where I'm singing on every tune, at a big band show I get to hang at the back of the room or bar and listen to the 50% or so of iinstrumental numbers. The upside is that I love relaxing and just listening to these guys play. The downside is that it's harder to stay focused and warmed up when I'm popping on and off the stage. But listening to these guys is wonderful, and tonight was no exception. 

I'm going to hear Alexi David, the bassist for the big band play with his own combo at Fat Cat this Saturday after my show at 55 Bar. He has a rockin' good band, and Tom Abbott, the big band's leader, is in it.  http://alexidavid.com/ is his site. My show is 6-9pm at 55 Bar, and Alexi's show is 10-1 at Fat Cat about 100 yards away, so naturally I recommend both :)   

New Reviews on jazz.com!

New Reviews:

From Norman Weinstein, currently covering jazz for The Christian Science Monitor, winner of the Deems Taylor-ASCAP award for jazz journalism, author of A Night in Tunisia: Imaginings of Africa in Jazz:

"Your singing is wonderful! Absolutely! Unique, lyrical, individual. Believe you’re the best female vocalist I’ve heard in a long time."

From Walter Kolosky for jazz.com:

Kelsey Jillette: Turn Out the Stars, The Water Is Wide (CAP 1016)

What a pleasure it is to hear the talented jazz vocalist Kelsey Jillette. Above and beyond her distinctive voice, and the talented musicians she has surrounded herself with, is an admiration for the material she has chosen to interpret. The songs range from composers such as Rodgers & Hart, Fats Waller, and Billy Strayhorn to Paul Simon. Each presentation is 100% modern in arrangement, instrumentation and style.

Music author Gene Lees wrote the lyrics to the classic Bill Evans melody "Turn out the Stars," which Jillette sings above a shuffle intro. She has an intriguing voice. It is breathy, yet has a deepness at the same time. She enunciates in a cool emphatic manner that compels you to listen to every word. The instrumental break is proof that the Kelsey Jillette Group is not simply a backing band for a talented vocalist. Drummer Adam Pache's beats support the very fine efforts of guitarist Hiro Honma, baritone saxophonist Tom Abbott and B-3 player Brad Whiteley. On "Turn out the Stars," Whiteley's role is especially impressive. (He and Jillette arranged the piece as well, which may be a clue to his performance.) The Kelsey Jillette Group is the real deal. You need to give them a listen.

From Walter Kolosky for jazz.com:

Kelsey Jillette: Medley – Hot House / What Is This Thing Called Love?

Every time I hear a version of Tadd Dameron's "Hot House," my eyes and ears return to the one-of-a-kind video clip of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie putting the tune through its paces. Though the "Hot House" heard here is a lifetime and galaxy away from beboppers Bird & Diz, it is born of the same spirit. Kelsey Jillette sings the melody vocalese-style above a throbbing bassline provided by organist Brad Whiteley and guitarist Hiro Honma. Soon, the lyrics from "What Is This Thing Called Love?" are coming from Jillette's lips. She owns some well-honed pipes and the emotive powers to use them effectively. The tune takes on a slight Latin feel even as the music becomes denser. Jillette eventually adds a touch of Latin scat herself. Interestingly, the arrangement catches a deep groove but is still somewhat at odds with itself. This tension is explored even as Jillette's voice stays above the fray. Absent her voice, this performance would still make a good jam-band number, given how talented these players are. Yet together, vocalist and musicians creatively transform historic material into an engaging modern mode. This is what playing the standards should be all about. You know, making the music your own. Such distinctive arrangements and performances help make jazz the timeless music it is.

Composed by Bill Evans & Gene Lees. Musicians: Kelsey Jillette (vocals, shakers), Tom Abbott (baritone sax), Brad Whiteley (B-3 organ), Hiro Honma (guitar), Adam Pache (drums)