O’s Notes: Sylvia Brooks Live is a warm set of ballads backed by musical director, pianist Christian Jacob and his band. The place is Herb Albert’s Vibrato Jazz Grill in Los Angeles. Sylvia’s soft vocals and rich tones are perfect for these blues-based ballads with very intriguing stories. Among the best are “Blues In the Night” – an instrumental, “The Red Pig Flew Up the Hill” with sweet horn harmonies, and “Tender Trap” with Jacobs dazzling solo. This is a fine showcase of the headliner’s songwriting and musical talents.
The Power of Jazz Live Performances in Intimate Settings
Jazz is much more than music; rather, it is an experience and a dialogue between performer and audience. Swelling from the live jazz performances, the studio albums offer just clipped songs. The real pulse of jazz comes from these performances in front of a live...
