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Oh No! Not Another Jazz Singer . . . But Not This Time, Singer/Instrumentalist Kaylene Peoples Is Not Typical!
RE-POST “The Wow Factor”
In Entertainment, Music Reviews on May 1, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I was at the fundraiser, AMIGOS SIN BARRERAS (Friends without Barriers), on April 25, 2009 at a private estate in Redondo Beach. I have a few friends on the staff and was invited—well, to donate I guess. The food was great, and as I was about to enjoy another tiny quiche, the band started to play. I looked over at my party mate and frowned, “Not another jazz trio.” Then suddenly, to my surprise, I actually liked what I heard.
Those of you who have read my reviews know that I do not care for jazz music. I’ll listen to rock, blues, Calypso, reggae, anything but jazz! I liked what I heard so much I put down my hors D’oeuvre and stood before one of the most enchanting female forms I ever saw. The fact that I couldn’t remove my gaze surprised me. Usually (no offense ladies) the singers at these benefits are, shall I say . . . ahem, not hot. I grabbed a seat and made myself very comfortable.
Kaylene Peoples was accompanied by a pianist, acoustic bass and drums. She sang a variety of covers ranging from “All or Nothing at All” to “My Funny Valentine.” She engaged the audience with every song. Honestly, I was never bored. Her voice is beautiful and her range really impressed me and everyone else who was there that night. I gotta tell you, I was blown away by her pure tone—that lady has a set of pipes on her. She could hold a note as long as Streisand. Please forgive the reference but I couldn’t think of anyone better to compare her to. But Peoples is not just a singer. She picked up her flute and started playing it like Jethro Tull for lack of a better reference. She did an amazing, lengthy solo on “Girl from Ipanema,” “One Note Samba,” and “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” All I can say to Miss Peoples if she’s listening, “Where have you been all my life?”
Kaylene Peoples has converted this jazz hater into a jazz lover, and I look forward to seeing her perform again very soon. Maybe she’ll wear that blue sequin gown with the split down the side again!
To learn more about Kaylene Peoples, visit her at www.myspace.com/kaylenepeoples or to purchase her CD, All Jazzed Up! go to www.cdbaby.com/kaylene2.
Reviewed by Willard T. Stevens