Kevin Mahogany: Birdland
Kevin Mahogany
Birdland, NYC, March 11, 2015
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
Kevin Mahogany is that rare species, a true jazz singer with a great sound and a warm and engaging personality. His show at Birdland is a mix of jazz classics and songs he has composed. Backed by four gifted musicians—Craig Handy (sax), Helen Sung (piano), Victor Lewis (drums) and Marco Panascia (bass)—the show is a jazz lovers delight. He has the confidence to step back and let each member of his quartet have an opportunity to shine, and they do. Whether clearly enunciating the lyrics or scatting at supersonic speed, Mahogany shows why he is among today’s best male jazz vocalists.
“Sweet and Lovely,” the opening number, was performed by the quartet, followed by Mahogany’s “Kansas City Born and Bred.” He showed off his masculine baritone with a bossa nova “Just Friends,” with strains of “Summer Samba” in the background. “Still Swinging,” an original composition, had Mahogany scatting so quickly, that I was left breathless. His charming sense of humor, always on display, shone with ”Old Men Sing the Blues” a sad, but also funny treasure. The closing, “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” built to a spectacular climax and featured a solo by Sung that had me saying, “How can she move her fingers that fast?”
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
