Photo courtesy of David Hanauer
If you consider yourself even a mild infatuate of jazz music this should be the burning question keeping you up at night. Carmen Lundy, the world renowned renaissance jazz connoisseur hit the stage at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California with a passion-rich performance that infused the audience from the opening note all the way through to a virtually tearful encore.
Although you’d never know it to look at her, Ms Lundy has been gifting the world with her singing and writing talents for over thirty years, but to hear her one can only wonder how this type of vocal genius could have been cultivated in anything less than a millennium. Without a doubt Ms Lundy is true cognoscenti, with an artistic portfolio that includes composer, vocalist, educator, painter, as well as stage and screen actress. Opening the early show with “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (Solamente, Afrasia©), a mesmerizing ballad that whet our appetites for much more, and that’s exactly what we received. Of special note is a self-penned and deeply moving tribute to Carmen’s mother titled “Show Me a Sign” (Solamente, Afrasia©) that left no sound or untouched soul among the audience. No less worthy of mention is the trio of phenoms that shared the stage with Carmen, pianist Anthony Wonsey, drummer Jamison Ross, and bassist Corcoran Holt.
Bringing a full complement of songs from past and current albums Come Home (Good Morning Kiss, Self Portrait, Come Home, Solamente), as well as a forthcoming album, Carmen and the trio presented a soul serenading flavor of jazz that the audience ingested like sweet liquid silk. Generally, you’d have to close your eyes to experience the full integration of musician and vocalist, but the flawless synchronization and synergy of these musicians with Carmen was fully visible, amazingly audible and permeated the hearts, minds and spirits of the audience like potent and hypnotic jazz incense. Native Chicagoan Anthony Wonsey, who has performed with Carmen on a few of her albums, captivated the audience with his deliciously addictive piano solos infused in several of the night’s performances. Drummer Jameson Ross, hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, demonstrated how drums are the necessary pulse of jazz that he has mastered with flawless flair. One of the wonderful surprises of the evening was when Carmen shared with the audience that Washington DC bassist Corcoran Holt, had never played with her prior to coming to Yoshi’s, a disclosure that hurled the audience into instant awe at this young musician’s seamless incorporation into every song and each foot-tapping, head nodding and finger popping note lead and followed by Carmen’s vocals.
It may well be that when an artist of this astral caliber sings, choosing to begin her vocal journey by composing most of her of recordings and then polishing them to pure brilliance through her spirited performances, the full measure of her rich expression can be felt by the audience. Whether that’s a global truth or not, it happened on June 17, 2011, at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California. And speaking of vocals, Carmen Lundy gave us a range and timbre with hers that courted ear and imagination with the allure and beauty of light to a prism, and although the theater was less than full, those of us present were willing captives, moths if you will, to her flame. Speaking of which, I have a serious bone to pick with the Bay Area for not filling Yoshi’s to capacity to witness this stellar artist and her fellow musicians paint the air in beautiful colors of jazz, but alas, those of us present had no problem absorbing your share. Thank you Carmen, for sharing your expressions of love and life in passionate sharps and flats, rhythmic smiles and snaps, and wonderful and awe-inspiring stage presence. To hear more about Carmen Lundy and her prolific career and perspectives, check out my backstage interview.
Bringing a full complement of songs from past and current albums Come Home (Good Morning Kiss, Self Portrait, Come Home, Solamente), as well as a forthcoming album, Carmen and the trio presented a soul serenading flavor of jazz that the audience ingested like sweet liquid silk. Generally, you’d have to close your eyes to experience the full integration of musician and vocalist, but the flawless synchronization and synergy of these musicians with Carmen was fully visible, amazingly audible and permeated the hearts, minds and spirits of the audience like potent and hypnotic jazz incense. Native Chicagoan Anthony Wonsey, who has performed with Carmen on a few of her albums, captivated the audience with his deliciously addictive piano solos infused in several of the night’s performances. Drummer Jameson Ross, hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, demonstrated how drums are the necessary pulse of jazz that he has mastered with flawless flair. One of the wonderful surprises of the evening was when Carmen shared with the audience that Washington DC bassist Corcoran Holt, had never played with her prior to coming to Yoshi’s, a disclosure that hurled the audience into instant awe at this young musician’s seamless incorporation into every song and each foot-tapping, head nodding and finger popping note lead and followed by Carmen’s vocals.
It may well be that when an artist of this astral caliber sings, choosing to begin her vocal journey by composing most of her of recordings and then polishing them to pure brilliance through her spirited performances, the full measure of her rich expression can be felt by the audience. Whether that’s a global truth or not, it happened on June 17, 2011, at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California. And speaking of vocals, Carmen Lundy gave us a range and timbre with hers that courted ear and imagination with the allure and beauty of light to a prism, and although the theater was less than full, those of us present were willing captives, moths if you will, to her flame. Speaking of which, I have a serious bone to pick with the Bay Area for not filling Yoshi’s to capacity to witness this stellar artist and her fellow musicians paint the air in beautiful colors of jazz, but alas, those of us present had no problem absorbing your share. Thank you Carmen, for sharing your expressions of love and life in passionate sharps and flats, rhythmic smiles and snaps, and wonderful and awe-inspiring stage presence. To hear more about Carmen Lundy and her prolific career and perspectives, check out my backstage interview.
Celestial Dancer, CAO
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| Anthony Wonsey and Celestial Dancer |
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| Celestial Dancer and Corcoran Holt |
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Celestial Dancer and Jamison Ross |
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| Carmen Lundy and Celestial Dancer |
