In 2004 Laura released ‘Just One of Those Things’ which received airplay on Michael Parkinson’s Radio Two show and caused JAZZ WISE to comment "Zakian swings effortlessly, combines a lightness of touch with a deep reservoir of power and control." She did exactly that – a wonderful evening. She was accompanied the Jazznights trio: Roger Odell on drums, Simon Brown on keys and Bernie Hodgkins on his 5 string double bass
The evening started with the resident songbird Larraine Odell opening with an up tempo version of the Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen It Could Happen To You. This was followed by Burt Bacharach’s Alfie – a very tender version with a great arrangement by Roger Odell. Taking a chance On love withy alternating 12 bar breaks between Roger on drums and Bernie on Bass. Invitation (not the Shakatak version) was then followed by a final great song by Jerome Kern: Yesterdays arranged by Roger Odell with a drum and bass intro.
Laura opened her set with They Say it’s Spring from her latest album About Love featuring a bass solo from Bernie. Day In Day Out was then followed by My One And Only Love by Guy Wood · Robert Mellin. This had a superb A Cappella opening by Laura which finished with a bass solo. The Lady’s In Love With You was an up-tempo number featuring Roger on drums. September In The Rain ended the first set which was to me the highlight of the set.
Following the other highlight: the Jazznights raffle the second set began with the traditional sitting in spot which gives a unique chance to play or sing with the trio,. The first up was an outstanding Night In Tunisia by Steve Laws on Alto.Our third vocalist of the evening was Karen Davies with a sultry version of Love Me Or Leave Me. Geoff Harriman ended this spot with Misty on his harmonica.
Laura commenced the second set with Like Someone In Love which featured solos by Simon Brown, Bernie Hodgkins and Roger Odell, this was followed by a very touching and magical Rodgers & Hart’s My Romance. Rogers & Hammerstein’s The Gentleman Is A Dope from her latest album About Love was a very individual performance by Laura. Lara’s words “a dinky little tune” No love No nothing which was sung by Rosemary Clooney. A very fine Devil May Care showed Laura’s ‘fantasy life’!.
A bass solo by Bernie introduced Honeysuckle Rose which continued with just the two of them (did Roger & Simon find there way to the bar!). This extraordinary session finished with a rousing but far too short Nobody Else But Me.
See www.jazz-nights.com for further details and future gig list
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