CABARET
NEWS
BOSTON - NEW ENGLAND - TORONTO AREAS
PROVINCETOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL 2010: Cool Music for Hot Nights
PAGE 2
By Joni Rapp
OPENING NIGHT ACT ONE
Jazz pianist and vocalist Janice Friedman, arrived on stage with Weisman and Rathburn. She played a few warm up tunes as part of the "trio" and then moved into an act of her own. I was taken from the first song and it only got better from there. She "rocked" ...wait, no! She "jazzed" my world with both her confident and extraordinary playing ...and her sultry, yet versatile vocal stylings.
I could go on about the famous luminaries she has worked with (and there are many she has also recorded with), but for the sake of brevity let me just say New York Times Jazz Critic, John Wilson,wrote that her, "Explosive piano playing carries the aura and variety of a big band." You bet!
Her vocals were on the mark all the way..with diversity and tonality separating her from the pack. Yes, there could be some comparisons to Diana Krall, but only superficially .. and without appreciating what differentiates them. Although I enjoy Ms. Krall, I found the, no so famous YET,Friedman a little livelier (although just as subtle). Her version of "I Wish You Love", with Weisman's brushes and Rathburn's sweet bass only enhanced the sexiness of the song (and herself, a curly headed brunette with a great smile).
After a few Jazzy upbeat tunes, the whole room had it's feet tapping. The nimble rolls of Friedman's fingers over numerous octaves, combined with a deep, resounding, well banged bass (not often used..but awesome on a well tuned Grand) was like a "wild" ride on a roller coaster that only makes you want to get right back on as soon as you get off. I began to think she must be the love child of Errol Garner and OscarPeterson. Her fingers, at times, moved so fast and furiously, I wondered how many she had!
Dressed in a gown even in this casual town and at the High School theater), Friedman showed that she was just as at home with a ballad as with a double timed swing tune. I always say, "Don't scat just because you can. Please only scat if you're good!" She scatted the latter.
Friedman has that rare jazz "gift" of also being able to play off the other musicians, as in repeating each others phrases...adding to them and jamming them together with daring improvisation.
This impromptu ability is another reason she stands out. She not only played the piano.. she played with it! The audience was enthralled (as was I). RUN for tickets if she is anywhere near you!
The trio (with Friedman remaining to play as part of it (what a treat), was then joined by the ever popular songster Dane Vannatter. Vannatter hopped into the already "happening" action like a duck to water. He's no stranger to jazz ...and it showed. He's one of the "straddlers" I mentioned; As easily at home in New Orleans as he is in New York.
This is a man who is serious about his music ...yet playful enough to always love a good laugh. I reviewed this handsome and charming singer at the Cabaret Fest where he tore the audience in half with an interesting rendition of an old song from the Ziegfeld Follies called, "This House is Haunted," which he repeated for the lucky crowd last Friday. His bluesy, jazzy "Here's to Life", complete with the story of how and why the song was written (for George Burns 100th Birthday) fit in beautifully with the mood, and showed the full heights of his very mighty vocal range.
He then joined Friedman for some fun duets. "Summertime" was a treat, as they scatted back and forth with great glee.
As the end of the first half of the show approached, the two were kept on as the audience screamed for more.....which led to a rousing duet of, "I Can't GiveYou Anything but Love" .... complete with counterpoint. These two performers easily give the impression (due to musical instinct) that they have worked together for twenty years! I have no clue if they've ever even met before. That's how good they both are. And That's what Jazz is often about.
Although they were fun together, each has their own act ... and this was just a rarity (a fun one). GO SEE THEM!
Vannatter works out of Boston (with trips to NY ... and Friedman is at the local jazz clubs in NewYork much of the year. They have web sites. Or Google them! I'd think about bringing them BOTH to New York as an act. The "locals" would love it!
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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