By Andrew Poretz***Vocalist Janis Siegel, late of the legendary Manhattan Transfer (which recently ended a remarkable 50-year run), celebrated her new Cy Coleman Songbook album, The Colors of My Life, at The Blue Note at their Sunday brunch show. The band was led by pianist-arranger-musical director Yaron Geshovsky, with Boris Kozlov (bass) and Vince Cherico (drums). Both the album and the show resulted from a collaboration between Siegel and Gershovsky in all aspects, including producing the release.
The set included some very familiar Coleman numbers, as well as several obscure ones. The star, looking sharp in a colorful pantsuit (apparently inspired by Picasso) opened with “I’ve Got Your Number” (Carolyn Leigh lyrics). After a swinging “That’s My Style” (Peggy Lee lyrics), Siegel and Geshovsky performed a slow rubato opening of “Witchcraft” (Carolyn Leigh) before the band came in for a rather witchy, syncopated arrangement that alternated rhythm and rubato.
Siegel regaled the audience with her tale of meeting Coleman , which began with a trip to a bar. The composer wanted to write a very Manhattan Transfer-like song for the show City of Angels. “With Every Breath I Take” (David Zippel lyrics) was the result. This lovely ballad was especially gorgeous, with voicings by Geshovsky.
Those of a certain age may remember the wonderful “Playboy Afte
r Dark” television shows, wherein Hugh Hefner would host a party filled with models, stars and some of the best musicians of the day. “Hef” commissioned Coleman to write the show’s theme song, which had a very Neil Hefti-like “The Odd Couple” vibe to it; with guest singer Aubrey Johnson, Siegel sang a very Transfer-esque vocalese to the tune. Their descending note harmonies at the end of phrases were like a pair of trumpets—a great piece, one of the highlights of the set. The addition of renowned guest flugelhorn player Alex Sipiagin on the very clever “When in Rome” (Carolyn Leigh) was another highlight.
A great high point towards the end of the set was “Being Without You” (Alan and Marilyn Bergman lyrics), an obscure song recorded only once before Siegel’s new 
version. Performed with only piano, Siegel effectively communicated the emotional despair of the Bergmans’ brilliant lyrics. At the break, Geshovsky’s chords became spooky and haunted, which added to the feeling of emptiness of the lovesick protagonist. Siegel closed out the set with an excellent and rhythmic “The Best is Yet to Come” and a piano-only ballad, “I Walk a Little Faster” (both Carolyn Leigh).
The album is a joy to listen to. Siegel’s voice sounded harsh at the Blue Note; it could have been the mic, or a cold. In contrast, she sounds marvelous on the album and in other recent appearances. Geshovsky’s playing is exquisite, with voicings that consistently elevated the material and the show. Likewise, Kozlov’s bass playing and Cherico’s drumming were stellar, and Sipiagin’s flugelhorn was a delightful addition.
A side note: It’s unfortunate that the legendary Blue Note, which has always hosted the biggest names in jazz, has changed its vibe in recent years. The club now squeezes every inch of customer space out of it, with chairs and tables claustrophobically and impossibly close together. Though the brunch cost was reasonable, the food was inconsistent (OK eggs, cold potatoes). Service is anemic at best, if not indifferent—and unthinkably, for reviewers and other journalists, press considerations are largely disrespected.
Janis Siegel’s album, The Colors of My Life: A Cy Coleman Songbook, is available wherever records are sold, and on the usual streaming sites.
Photos by Andrew Poretz
