Arlene Armstrong: Jazz Bird

Carla Gordon | September 30, 2014

Arlene Armstrong

Jazz Bird

Davenport’s, Chicago, IL, September 5, 2014

Reviewed by Carla Gordon for Cabaret Scenes

Chicago’s cabaret fans know Arlene Armstrong as a pleasant alto jazz singer, but in Jazz Bird, she demonstrated that she is far more. She offered up a grand variety of songs, from jazz standards to gospel to goofy comedy. When Armstrong says that the so-called touching story in “Straighten Up and Fly Right” “sounds like a lie”—she is in-your-face true and funny. Her tender “Baltimore Oriole,” a seldom-perform song exploring regret, is wistful and dear. Part of Jazz Bird is a 20th-anniversary salute to husband, Victor. She shares her personal story of love at first sight (“Let’s Fall in Love”), relationship fits and starts through Victor’s questionable gift-giving choices (“Daddy”—“I want a diamond ring”), and commitment (“I’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face). We sail along with Armstrong in her heartfelt journey. While comedy is not on Armstrong’s typical bill of fare, she landed the jokes in “Gorgeous“ like a comedy pro. The well-timed glitter ball and the bit with boobs made this song a hoot. Bobby Schiff added lovely riffs from the keyboard while always supporting the vocalist. Closing with “Charmed Life” expressed both gratitude and fun.