Photo by Ann Marsden

A relative newcomer to the Twin Cities jazz scene, Christine Rosholt graduated from the Minneapolis Children’s Theater Company & School and earned at BFA at the Art Institute of Chicago where she majored in performance art and photography. Her career in theater has included original performance art pieces and traditional theater as well as vocal performance. As a jazz vocalist, she has performed recently at many local venues, including regular gigs at Café Havana and Nochee, and has been a featured vocalist with Beasley’s Big Band. Citing influences ranging from Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie, and Frank Sinatra to Connie Evingson, Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, John Pizzarelli, Joni Mitchell, and Karrin Allyson, Christine says: "I especially like the jazz standards from the 1930s and 40s because they’re timeless, they swing, and they’re sentimental without being syrupy."

Photo by ANdrea Canter

On the bandstand, Christine exudes enough warmth and charm to enchant even the most reluctant audience without singing a single note. An audio recording is another matter—the singer must engage the listener solely through her voice and choice of material. Detour Ahead succeeds on both counts. Through her voice alone, Christine creates that same invivo allure, while the diversity of her playlist givers her a wide stage from which to cast her spell.

The magic here is less a function of sleight-at-hand twists of melody or rhythm than of more subtle shadings of tone and inflection that nevertheless give each track Christine’s personal imprint. The vocal story line remains true to the plot yet gently tugs and pulls at your senses along the way as Christine explores both time-honored classics and lesser known covers. Perhaps her early involvement with the Childrens’ Theater and subsequent stage experience give Christine an edge in selling a song, even such Cole Porter chestnuts as “From This Moment On” and “It’s De-Lovely”—sassy and brassy, it is Christine who is “delightful, delicious, de-lovely.” With her dramatic flair, the well-worn “Honeysuckle Rose” takes on the bubbling seduction that Fats Waller surely intended, while a sweet sincerity permeates “Early Autumn,” “Some Time Ago,” and “I Cover the Waterfront.” The title track seems emblematic of the entire project—listen as her phrasing pulls you into intimate conversation; Christine is right there in your living room, surrounding you with the sensual energy and vibrant imagery of live performance.

Tanner Taylor, Photo by Andrea Canter

Christine has assembled a rhythm section that embraces and lifts her music from the first note. Twenty-something Tanner Taylor—a true keyboard monster when leading his own trio—is something of a magician when supporting a vocalist. His solos are sparkling gems that inspire but never upstage the singer, his comping deft and gracious, and his Hammond B-3 on “Honeysuckle Rose” adds just the right touch of primal sensuality. Long a favorite of both vocalists and pianists, Jay Epstein is a creative and elastic acrobat with sticks and brushes, frenetic on “Out of This World,” elegantly subtle on “Detour Ahead.” Newly transplanted to New York, bassist Michael O’Brien has similarly built a reputation for supporting the top vocalists of the Twin Cities and beyond, walking lightly but surely, and breaking out as pacesetter at all the right moments. Mystical mallet-man Steve Roehm enlivens “Daydream” with the vibraphone, while stunning guitarist Robert Everest provides arrangement, guitar and vocal on Jobim’s “Chega de Saudade” (“No More Blues”).

Simply, Christine Rosholt sums up her concept of Detour Ahead when she says, “I love being a live performer.” The love of performance, of connecting with her audience, infuses every track. You might be listening on your I-Pod, in your car, in your most quiet and private space, but from the first note to the last, Christine is right beside you, whispering, cajoling, affirming—with clear tone, sure diction, sassy or sweet, she’s live on your stage.

Take no “detours” yourself--head straight to Rossi’s Blue Star Room (80 S. 9^th Street, Minneapolis) on February 3^rd (9 pm) for the CD Release Party. Detour Ahead will also be available at www.christinerosholt.com, the Electric Fetus, and CD Baby.