Janis Siegel

Superlative singer and nine time Grammy winner Janis Siegel, probably best known here as one of the four singers who together comprise the vocal group Manhattan Transfer, finished the Melbourne section of her Australian tour last night with a knockout set at the Recital Centre’s Salon room.

Showcasing her latest solo album “Night Songs”, the “live and intimate” set featured an eclectic mix of American Songbook standards, lesser-known showtunes, some fabulous jazz and even a showstopping, melancholy jazz ballad version of Waltzing Matilda.

Ably supported by two New York musicians, John di Martino on piano and Boris Koslov on acoustic bass, Ms Siegel’s famous virtuosity, impeccable pitch and vocal versatility were on strong display as she alternately swooped, scatted, caressed, stroked and crooned her way through the lyrics.

The wide-ranging variety of the setlist ensured plenty of scope for Ms Siegel and her band to stretch out. It encompassed classy ballads, grooving uptempo numbers, and the obligatory vocalese performances which Ms Siegel performed with startling accuracy at breakneck speed. Virtuosity aside, there was also plenty of richly emotive singing, with some of the ballads jaw-droppingly beautiful. Bravo to Ms Siegel and her musicians for a truly memorable evening of song.

Alex Paige