Laure Zaehringer: Something Cool: A Tribute to June Christy
Laure Zaehringer
Something Cool: A Tribute to June Christy
E Spot Lounge, Studio City, CA, February 23, 2015
Reviewed by Les Traub for Cabaret Scenes
Laure Zaehringer journeyed from France to the Berklee College of Music to Los Angeles before discovering the music of June Christy. She made up for lost time by digging deep into the Christy repertoire and its arrangers under the guidance of her bass player, Brian Cassier. She skillfully captured the smoky-voiced Christy tone with the added delight of a French accent. Since Cassier was the Christy expert, she let him fill in some Christy biographical detail and song background while Zaehringer talked about her own background in her patter. A swinging group, led by musical director/pianist John Hughes, did justice to the Kenton, Billy May, Pete Rugolo, Bob Cooper (Christy’s husband) style arrangements.
Leading off with Christy’s most well-known number, “Something Cool,” Zaehringer demonstrated that she was right at home with the West Coast Cool sound. Her jazz chops and scatting ability were highlighted in her rendition of “How High the Moon.” She departed from the Christy song catalogue to take over at the piano to sing her original song “007.” As she described it, it’s called 0-0-7 because, as a French native, she was unaware of the Double 07 nomenclature.
Laure Zaehringer is a wonderfully talented singer/songwriter/pianist who is a welcome addition the L.A. cabaret scene.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Cabaret Reviews
