Tierney Sutton at Jimmy Maks

I don't think my writing skills are up to the task to describe the show Senora Music Man and I attended last night at Jimmy Maks.  When I first saw that The Tierney Sutton Band had booked a gig at Jimmy's, I immediately bought two tickets for the early show (last night).  I had heard of her 3 Grammy nominations but, that doesn't guarantee a good show - I've been oversold before (nah, I won't mention names).   I shouldn't have worried; this was one of the best sets of music - mostly jazz, ever served up over a Jimmy Mak gyro.

Ms. Sutton began with a short interview with Ezra Weiss in which she explained that the gig is the "Tierney Sutton Band", NOT Tierney Sutton with a trio of supporting musicians.  Amen to that!  Pianist Christian Jacobs, bassist Kevin Axt, and drummer Ray Brinker each contributed evenly to this quartet.  I found my attention drawn to each of these excellent musicians at different points of performance.  Tierney used her considerable vocal talent to mold her lyrics into another instrument in this full bodied quartet.  A lot of singers make that claim; this lady actually does it.

OK the set...  A lot of the songs are from what is becoming known as the Great American Songbook.  Selecting classics and standards runs the risk of delivering a set that has already been done (and done and done....).  Nope - not this time.  Each tune was presented with an imaginative and energetic interpretation that met with complete approval from the full house at Jimmy's.

A few notes:  "It Ain't Neccessarily So" was presented with primal overtones delivered forcefully, yet precisely by Ray Brinker.
"Summertime" and "Cry Me a River" - couldn't help but think of Dinah Washington in Tierney's vocal interpretation.  It was fascinating to see and hear Kevin Axt weave his bass lines throughout these melodies.
Finally, when the tune "Fever" introduced, I groaned inwardly as this is a tune made famous by Peggy Lee, ruined by The McCoys and made tedious by everyone else.  Everyone else but the Tierney Sutton Band.  The interpretation was fresh, innovative, and yet true to the song as written.  Again, many make that claim; this band got  it done.
I loved the whole set; the fastest 90 minutes I can recall.  I can and will go see this band again.

OK; this is what you are going to hear.

Ray using a delicate touch.

Summertime and it's still raining in Portland!