Kat Gang, September Performance at Birdland
Kat Gang
Birdland, NYC, September 19, 2014
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
Kat Gang is among the best and most beautiful of today’s young female jazz vocalists. She had her unique take on each of the 12 numbers that she delivered at Birdland. Her breezy, jazzy style, engaging smile, eye contact and perfect enunciation made her a delight to watch and listen to. Limited to 60 minutes, she did not have much time for patter, but within that limit it was amusingly charming.
Gang opened with a very up-tempo “Bye Bye Blackbird,” in which she displayed her flair for scat singing, followed by a very original bossa nova treatment of “All the Things You Are.” She then switched gears with a soft, emotional “Say It Isn’t So.” That Gang is an accomplished songwriter was displayed by her performing two of her compositions: “A Million Miles” and “After You Go,” the latter a duet with Musical Director Tedd Firth. “Say It (Over and Over Again)” gave Firth an opportunity to show off his keyboard skills. Gang got bluesy with Bobby Troup’s “Baby, Baby All the Time.” She mentioned that “The Very Thought of You” was her favorite song and her phrasing worked beautifully in a very original arrangement. The show closed with Gang scatting through “Old Devil Moon.”
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
