By Marilyn Lester***With a prediction of rain – big rain – a storm system that was being tracked for days up the East Coast, it was a relief that the mega-downpour never did hit New York; and after a drizzly, grey wet morning, the skies finally cleared late in the day. So,naturally, an astute jazz artist—that would be Libby York—with a large repertoire of songs, cleverly dipped into her kit bag of tunes and opened at Mezzrow
with “September in the Rain” (Harry Warren, Al Dubin). A few songs in, referencing Peggy Lee, York offered the thematic “Cloudy Morning” (Marvin Fisher, Joseph McCarthy, Jr.) as a wonderfully eclectic, organically unfolding set spooled out.
Adding zest, York and her musical collaborators offered a lot of spontaneity in what would come next. Those collaborators are two longtime members of her trio with whom York has worked in her New York gigs: guitarist Roni Ben-Hur and bassist Harvie S. The effortless cooperation between them is one example of the ease with which jazz artists often create how a tune is ultimately played and presented. This synergy of the jazz ethos is always a marvel to behold, especially among seasoned pros such as this ensemble.
A fun novelty tune was “Rhode Island Is Famous for You,” (Arthur Schwartz. Howard Dietz) from the 1948 Broadway musical revue Inside U.S.A. The tune has been adopted by Rhode Islander jazz singer Daryl Sherman and also John Pizzarelli, but York heard it first from Sandy Stewart. And her playful interpretation was 
right on point. More though, invoking Stewart puts a spotlight on the rarified club that York is a member of: classic jazz singers of a certain age who know the tricks of the trade, such as scat and vocal improvisation, offered within a firm framework of phrasing and lyric interpretation. Stephanie Nakasian, Mary Stallings, Dianne Reeves and Marilyn Maye, for instance, along with Stewart, are anchors of OG jazz tradition and sisters with York in this musical sorority. Her interpretation of Irving Berlin’s songbook standard, “What’ll I Do?,” written for Broadway’s 1923 Music Box Revue was a bluesy heartbreaker—hankies out. Extra points go to York for including the verse.
A great jazz singer-composer who has since passed on, Abbey Lincoln, wrote one of the most intelligent and lyrical jazz songs of the canon: “Throw It Away.” York offered this good advice along with another tune with a wise message, James Taylor’s “The Secret of Life,” a new addition to the York repertoire. The song has long been a staple of 98-year-old Marilyn Maye; perhaps we should all give a close listen. Swing, ballads and blues—York masters it all. Her blues interpretation of “Still on the Road,” the title song from Rosemary Clooney’s 1994 album pointed to autobiography—the life of a touring, gigging artist. Closer, “I Love Being Here With You” (Bill Schluger, Pegggy Lee) was a swinging, firm statement returned by an adoring and appreciative audience lifted from a grey day into the warm sunshine of the Libby York Trio.
Photos by Marilyn Lester
