This is a review of Hetty Kate’s sold out gig at Melbourne's Paris Cat Jazz Club on Sat Sept 15th 2018, by someone who is not a musician, just someone who likes sitting on a bar stool, listing to great jazz vocalists.
Hetty, who has an extensive repertoire of over 500 songs, predominantly from the Great American Songbird, devoted this show to one of her favourite song writers, Johnny Mercer. Mercer, who passed away in 1976 wrote the lyrics to over 1500 songs, including many popular jazz standards.
Rather than simply performing a greatest hits show, Hetty selected some well-known and lessor known songs from Mercer's Film, Broadway, Jazz and Blues songs.
Some of the songs performed during the two sets included Easy Street, Speak Low, Old Cow Hand, Too Marvellous for Words, Blues in the Night, Tangerine, Goody Goody, Autumn Leaves, When a Women Loves a Man, Satin Doll, I Wanna Be Around and
Jeepers Creepers.
Joining Hetty on stage were Ben Robertson (Double Bass), Steve Grant (Piano) and Geoff Hughes on Guitar. The band played Johnny Mercers' songs beautifully, with wonderful solos and bright and interesting improvisations that captured your attention.
For the final song, Hetty selected a special song, the first song she learnt when commencing singing lessons. A song made famous by Frank Sinatra, One For My Baby (and One More For The Road). Accompanied by Steve Grant on Piano this was wonderful closing song.
Hetty engaged the entire audience on Saturday night. Her song introductions were interesting, providing just the right amount of information about each song. Between songs, Hetty also shared some very amusing anecdotes, which the audience enjoyed.
Hetty is one of the best jazz vocalists around. She has beautiful voice and has a very relaxed, charismatic and stylish stage presence. If you get the opportunity to see Hetty, make sure you go. You'll have a great night!
For further information please refer to http://www.hettykate.com/
Naomi
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