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Live Performance Review: Andrea
Wolper CD Release Event The recent tragic events of the Gulf Coast region have left this reviewer feeling helpless, frustrated and downhearted. That is why the touching and unusual concert presented by Andrea Wolper was a much-needed gift. Adorned in a simple outfit of silk black pants and a silver top, the beguiling, red haired jazz singer, Andrea Wolper, held the audience in her arms as she sang from her new CD, "The Small Hours." Her voice was immediate and personal. The roots of her immediate style can be traced to her musical relationship with her mother. As a child, Ms. Wolper and her mother sang songs together. The warmth and tenderness from those interactions filters through her music today. She's a brave, unpredictable and soulful singer whose warm and sensual voice draws the listener into her delectable world. The evening's music featured a wide variety of styles, but Ms. Wolper fashioned each song as her own by reharmonizing many of the melodies. She also arranged all of her material. Surrounded by a first rate musical ensemble that included Ron Affif on guitar, Ken Filiano on bass, Michael TA Thompson on drums and Frank London on trumpet/flugelhorn, Ms. Wolper aptly told her impassioned story. The evening's program began with a spirited version of Antonio Carlos Jobim's tune,"Favela." Affif's solo introduction was vigorous melody behind Ms. Wolper's singing. Her elegant scat singing danced with Filiano's arco and pizzicato bass lines and glided on the shimmering rhythms of Thompson's drum patterns. Frank London played the flugelhorn with grace and allure. His tone was akin to Ms. Wolper's voice - dense and melodious. He played as if saying a prayer in Ms. Wolper's rendition of Cole Porter's, "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." Ms. Wolper's arrangements were equaled by her fine lyrics and compositions. "Rendezvous in Providence," a composition written by Ms. Wolper for the poem of the same name by D. Nurkse, was performed as a duet with Filiano. In their interpretation it became a web of passion and longing. Michael Thompson articulated the brooding tension Ms. Wolper created in "It Could Happen To You." His introductory solo sparked a cascade of rhythmic accents.
Ms. Wolper is an artist of uncompromising sincerity and creativity.
When she is on stage it is obvious how much she likes to connect
with her audience. Ms. Wolper requests that the house lights remain
up so she can see her audience's faces. Her charm, grace and versatility
made this a poignant and meaningful musical event. I hope to see
many more of her performances.
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