Carmen Lundy Sets the Night on Fire

By Paula Edelstein – http://www.soundsoftimelessjazz.com/concertinfo.html

March 31, 2012

Vitello’s Jazz & Supper Club was the place to be as Carmen Lundy’s celebrated the release of her latest recording called Changes. The acclaimed jazz vocalist set the night on fire during her two-nights at the trendy Studio City, CA club as such musical luminaries as Barbara Morrison, Judy Wexler, and Cathy Segal-Garcia, among others, lent their support. Ms. Lundy’s set was mesmerizing from start to finish due to her multi-octave vocal range and the rousing accompaniment from pianist Anthony Wonsey, Darryl Hall on bass, Jamison Ross on drums and special guest Nolan Shaheed on flugelhorn and trumpet.

From the opener, the capacity audience was energized by Carmen Lundy’s extraordinary vocals and her band’s virtuosic soloing. Each song was a glorious promenade of stories that stretched back to “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square/“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” to “So Beautiful,” “Dance the Dance” and “Love Thy Neighbor”- all of which were beautiful presentations of her original compositions from Changes that conveyed heartfelt meanings, and, more importantly, her ability to connect with her audience who knew all that she was communicating. She was simply awesome.

Anthony Wonsley took several innovative solos that resulted in huge ovations while drummer Jamison Ross’ engrossing drumming and rhythmic chemistry set the stage for more fiery work from Carmen Lundy. Darryl Hall kept the rhythm logic happening while solos from Nolan Shaheed’s trumpet were varied and vibrant. Overall, Carmen Lundy's set was fresh, filled with social insight (“Love Thy Neighbor”) and romance (“So Beautiful” and “Dance the Dance”). The set ended with “Lucky Me (I’m In Love Again)” and with that the power and purpose of Carmen Lundy’s engaging songs left the audience on their feet applauding for more. She definitely set the night on fire and moved her audience into her ever-emerging jazz galaxy with stellar results.