Kristin Korb’s most recent performance in Santa Barbara can be described as going from the ridiculous to the sublime…but in a good way! Super-cali-frgil-istic-expi-ali-dociousis a somewhat ridiculous tune and I Want to Be Loved was definitely sublime. Kristin and her guys showed us that they can do it all….and with ease. Kristin has a super voice with just enough jazz vibe to make it interesting. On the old jazz standard, East of the Sun, her vocalese was based on a complicated solo by Stan Getz and on Whirly Bird, written by Neal Hefti for the Basie band, she did it again… in breakneck speed.
Although she had veteran players, Andy Langham and Duncan Moore, to accompany her, Kristin chose to rely only on her amazing bass and her perfect voice scatting on the tune, On Green Dolphin Street.Lovely! But Andy and Duncan were a wonderful addition on the other selections. Kristin, who now makes her home in Denmark with her husband, Morton and family, mostly hires local musicians when she tours. It’s a testament to how good these players are to be so in sync with her after only a week together.
One of my favorites of the afternoon was the bossa nova, Doralice, a spirited Brazilian tune, which she combined with the old standard, You Made Me Love You. The trio also borrowed the famous beat of the Ahmad Jamal version of Poincana and used it to perfection on Flamingo. They closed out the afternoon with an encore of Stevie Wonder’s, Overjoyed. We definitely want to have these gifted players back again!
Photos by Mark McDonald