It was 5:30 pm August 10; an hour and a half before the live-stream concert was to begin. The HJS and “The Library” staff were setting up lights, cameras, mics and technology (I was fortunate to be part of the production staff). The band had arrived and were getting instruments ready. It’s time for a sound check and Leala Cyr steps to the microphone. She belts out some wordless vocals. Her range and projection fills the room with sound unlike anything I have ever heard in a concert setting. I knew right there that this was going to be a fantastic evening of song and music.
Leala (vocals and flugelhorn) had assembled a top notch band for the evening; Dan Liparini on guitar, Matt Dwonszyk bass, Ben Bilello drums and Kris Allen on alto and soprano sax. Dan’s chordal playing behind Leala’s vocals created a warm blanket of color and rhythm, Matt expertly held down the bottom as he has done for so many shows at this year’s PBMNJ, Ben set the rhythmic pace and led the band through the grooves as well as bringing them to a crescendo as the music dictated. Kris Allen’s sax playing danced around Leala’s arrangements, and stretched out to flights of freedom. Some of the most poignant musical moments were the interplay between Kris’ soprano sax and Leala’s flugelhorn.
The set began with her rendition of Summertime heavily laden with cool scat vocalizing that made us forget the 94 degree heat outside. The set also contained two covers of Nat King Cole originals, including a solo version of Mona Lisa. But perhaps the most memorable performances were Leala’s original compositions including the personal, Secret and an instrumental, Canyon, inspired on a trip to the Grand Canyon. Both can be heard on her premier album First Instinct.
If you missed the concert, you can view it (and other HJS Live Streams) at this link.
photo by Maurice D. Robertson
