One of the many great aspects of the L.A. Jazz Scene’s legendary hotspot the Catalina Jazz Club is that for all the iconic artists who perform there, there’s always room for exciting and diverse lesser knowns to introduce their magic to the curious and openminded.
Easygoing crooner and master songwriter Steve Sieck isn’t exactly new on the scene, having been a part of the jazz community here for a number of years after a multi-faceted musical journey that includes years of cabaret and jazz shows in NYC. But the fact that his soulfully performed, wonderfully engaging new album Crazy That Way is his first in 11 years makes him a fresh entity willing to surprise us in so many ways both on the recording and at his headlining CD release concert at Catalina October 25.
As charming, breezy and immediately infectious as Sieck’s vocals are, one of the unique conceits of the album is having three incredible guest vocalists on board to sing a few of his gems - including the always hip and wonderful Mark Winkler, who was on the “guest list” at Catalina to sing the poetically romantic, sweetly trumpet laced “Paris Apartment. Though not the same singers as on Crazy That Way, the dusky voiced Amy Keys brought deep, loving emotion to “You Are Everything To Me” and Jeff Robinson was in full on sweet seduction mode accompanied mainly by Dori Amarilio’s acoustic guitar on the bossa-tinged “I Still Want You So.”
As great as these moments were, and as much as they affirmed Sieck’s grand way with melodies and lyrics, they served as mere complements to his own easygoing, effortless way of connecting with the audience. Backed by a four- piece ensemble (including keyboardist Mitchel Forman, bassist Trey Henry and drummer Gary Novak) and the four-piece LA Horns, he began with a warm invitation that cleverly turned “Good Morning, LA” into the more appropriate “Good Evening, L.A.”
Having hooked his cheerful crowd of fans, friend and colleagues in, Sieck showcased his keen skills as an expressive (and truly poetic, sensual and romantic) musical storyteller (often with a subtle Brazilian tinge) on a large handful of the album’s key tracks, including “Crazy That Way,” “The Mystery of Love,” “Only Human” and “September Seems So Far Away.” Saving some of the best mojo for later in the set, he shared his peppiest, funkiest and brassiest moment via the aptly titled “Temple of Soul,” which included the joyous backing vocals of Keys and Robinson.
Fun fact: Just before Sieck’s show, word came through various attuned phones that Freddie Freeman hit a walkoff grand slam in the bottom of the tenth inning to lead the Dodgers to victory in Game 1 of the World Series – setting the tone for their latest championship. Then the singer, his crew and his guests took the stage to create the jazz equivalent of a home run.
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