If cappuccino had a voice, it might very well sound like the rich tones of a ballad sung by jazz vocalist, Jamie Broumas. This mezzo-soprano’s ease of range, coupled with an impeccable sense of phrasing is smoothly imbibed and satisfies as completely as the drink itself. “Shirley Horn influenced me so much, and introduced me to the concept of the ballad as an art form,” said Broumas, a local on the jazz scene in both club and concert venues as well as in festivals throughout the United States. “Every time I sing one, I have an image of what perfection is from listening to Shirley. I never quite reach it, though.”
Others would disagree. W. Royal Stokes, author of “The Jazz Scene,” has praised her latest album, “Wild is Love” noting, “From the ache in her voice on Harold Arlen’s ‘Last Night When We Were Young’ to the hornlike phrasing of her scat on Sammy Cahn’s ‘Day By Day’ Jamie proves that she can do it all.”
| ONSTAGE |
| Jamie Broumas |
| » Where: Blues Alley Jazz Supper Club, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW |
| » When: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday |
| » Info: $25; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com |
Thursday at Blues Alley, she will prove it all over again in her choice of both singing style and composer. While she doesn’t necessarily choose material from the Great American Songbook, she finds herself greatly influenced by the instrumentalists of the 1950s and, among her prized songs to sing are those of American jazz saxophonist and composer, Wayne Shorter.
At Blues Alley, she will perform with some of her favorite musicians; Bob Butta on piano, Michael Bowie on bass, Harold Summey at the drums and the great alto saxophone player, Charlie Young, with whom she has worked on many occasions.
“I have always worked with the best musicians I could possibly find and that’s a way to grow musically, to play with people who are better than you,” Broumas explained. “It also inspires me.”
Broumas does not compose, but rather, identifies herself as a jazz singer. She loves the rich harmonies inherently written into the music and for her, the music must always swing. Improvisation, if not the heart of the song, is its spirit.
“It’s like taking a sort of free-fall,” she mused. “It’s risky but that’s what makes it so satisfying. When you are flying off of a cliff taking a risk, it enables you to dig really emotionally. I think that’s what really connects with the audience.”
