Corky Hale: A Tribute to Billie Holiday’s 100th Birthday
Corky Hale
A Tribute to Billie Holiday’s 100th Birthday
Catalina Jazz Club, Hollywood, CA, April 6, 2015
Reviewed by Les Traub for Cabaret Scenes
Corky Hale was the only female musician to play for Billie Holiday. She celebrated Holiday’s hundredth birthday with a swinging show performed for a well-over-capacity crowd. Joined by friends Freda Payne and Eloise Laws and “the other Mrs. Stoller,” her daughter-in-law Tricia Tahara, Hale accompanied them with beautiful arrangements, often created on the spot, which showcased the richness of both the songs and the voices. Stories about how she was hired by Holiday, what it was like touring with her and what Billie was really like as a person added a fascinating dimension to the evening.
Describing Holiday as a sweet, unhappy woman, Hale did the vocal chores herself on one of Billie’s favorites, “Who Cares? (So Long As You Care for Me),” with John Chiodini providing sensitive accompaniment on guitar. Hale ended the song with an electric finish by sending her voice up into the top register of the stratosphere.
Other highlights included an inspired, soulful performance of “God Bless the Child” by Tahara, Payne’s scatting on “I Cried for You” and Laws’s moving take on “The Very Thought of You.”
In addition to veteran Chiodini, Hale was joined by a couple of amazing musicians: Lyman Mederios on bass and Christopher Jones on drums.
Editor’s Note: Tricia Tahara is at Catalina Jazz Club 6/17
Category: Cabaret Reviews, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Cabaret Reviews, Regional
