Miss Ann Hampton Callaway

Ann Callaway can sing her ass off. I just want to say that first and foremost. I had two reasons for going to NYC this month:
1. See Ann Callaway at Jazz at Lincoln Center
2. Sing at Birdland again

It was a wonderful way to spend an evening in NYC. It was a perfect ending to a a day that began with the Armani adventure.

Ann just debuted a new Cd entitled: At Last. But because she is Ann Callaway she got to celebrate her CD release at Dizzy’s Coca Cola (sponsors I reckon) at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

I got home to the apartment from Armani adventrue in time to nibble a couple crackers; make a couple calls (cause you know I had to share my Armani experience with BFF Deb who is MIZZ ARMANI) jump in the shower; get dressed; make up the face (just to be presentable not diva-ed out) and hop in a taxi.

I tell the driver:
Take me to Dizzy’s Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center

But after we crossed Broadway, I thought maybe I’d better look at my little address list.

Hmmm… Dizzy’s Coca Cola. Jazz at Lincoln Center. 60th & Broadway.

I tell the driver:
You know this place may not be at Lincoln Center. The address says 60th & Broadway.

Lincoln Center between 62nd and 65th Street and Columbus and Amsterdam!

Yeah, I realize that, but I need to go to broadway at 60th.

Lincoln Center not at Broadway & 60th!

To myself : Mothufucka, I said this place ain’t at Lincoln Center. I need to go to Broadway at 60th! Asshole!

huge sigh… Sir, I understand that. I need to go to Broadway & 60th.

That not Lincoln Center.

I tried to muster up all of the good manners I could for this elderly man who was obviously from the Caribbean or Haiti or some such place.

Look, Forget about Lincoln Center. Forget that I ever mentioned Lincoln Center. Just take me to Broadway at 60th, on the corner. Okay?

(mutterring under his breath) still not Lincoln Center…

He turns the cab around and then the marquis appears, like a beacon among the cocks, big as the fucking moon:

Jazz at LINCOLN CENTER

I say nothing. Brotha man pulls over and says sweetly: Here it is.

muttering under my breath: un huh… Jazz at Lincoln motha fucking Center.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is located in a glass high rise shopping mall.

Hmm… I stand before the building for a minute and take it all in before I enter and spot the huge signage directing me to the club. I take the lift up to the designated floor and get in the “Reservations” line. After forty minutes ( I could hear her finishing up her previous show) the hostess seats me right next to the stage, in front of everyone. Suddenly, for a split second, I am the lonely lady in New York at the big assed table, stage left in front of the world. OY Vey! But one martini menu soon squashed that anxiety. And they serve food! Bonus! I order fried chicken with greens, mashed potatoes and a Cosmopolitan. Yum!

The venue is very hip and modern with wavy maple colored wood panels wrapped around the walls and a lovely skyline view of the city as the performer’s backdrop.

It was exciting waiting for another performer to start a show, especially when you have no idea of what her show will be like. And there was no anxiety or butterflies for me. All I had to do was sit and show love at show time!

Ann was wonderful. Her trio, which was made up of some of the best players on the Jazz scene (of course) were tremendous and the entire vibe of the night was casual but elegant. I loved watching her bassist (playing stand up bass) sing a long with eyes closed and head a boppin’ as he plucked his solos. And her arrangements were hip, hip, hip!

And Miss Callaway was radiant. That girl can sing her ass off!! She was scatting runs like an Olympic athlete. It was a joy to behold. She sang some Cole Porter, among others, and graced us with a couple of her own gorgeous compositions.

Watching Ann sing was so exciting and she is so funny! Her vocal choices (and I’m talking notes and phrasing) were so tasty and I just ate ’em all up. Her ballads were lovely. And she can swing her ass off. Just a true Jazz master. She made me want to go record a Jazz cd immediately. That’s the thing about singing Jazz, you are so free to taste every word or note and take your time or speed it up… it’s like a modern art form… no rules. And that appeals to me greatly.

After the show I had the pleasure of hanging with Ann and her family and friends.

I highly recommend her show. And I loved the set length – one hour. She will be at Dizzy’s through March 1, 2009. Ann at Jazz at Lincoln Center Calender

Ann’s trio: Ted Rosenthal – piano, Jay Leonhart – bass & Victor Lewis-drums

Next up: Lynne sings If I Can’t Sell It at Birdland….