Lauren Koval and Llew Matthews © Glenn Mitchell

Superb pianist Llew Matthews accompanies her on many of these performances as he did this particular evening of Thursday, March 15^th. Koval represents the American Popular Songbook very well and has literally hundreds of songs in her book to do – many as requests when customers ask for them. Her voice is clear, persuasive and easy to listen to. Matthews’ piano has a soft touch, and also a refreshing radiant style. He also still tours periodically with recent Grammy winner Nancy Wilson, with whom he has worked for many years.

We, in the audience, were very fortunate to get to listen to this golden duo, beginning with “All of You,” “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and “Come Rain, Come Shine” to start the musical affair in this historical place. Koval, for the most part, usually takes the tune through the first chorus once and then gives Matthews the second chorus to express his fine arranging skills, and then continue into the final chorus together. She has a new CD, No Complaints, No Regrets, out now and also performed quite a few of these timeless standards from it this evening: “Here’s To Life,” “More Than You Know” and “When October Goes,” a colorful and beautiful ballad. One of my favorite tunes sung by Koval was “Some Other Time.” Other favorites followed in this same set: “Willow Weep For Me,” “I Love Being Here With You,” “Old Devil Moon,” and “One For My Baby.”

Lauren Koval was born and raised in Bellevue, WA. a suburb of Seattle. She has her new CD for a release party coming up June 26^th at Catalina’s Bar and Grill, and will have pianist, Page Cavanaugh, as her special guest performer. She also guests as a vocalist every so often for the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band in different places where they’re touring, such as the bigger cities like Chicago or Pittsburgh or similar major cities in the U.S. See her website: www.laurenkoval.com . At the Queen Mary there is no cover/no minimum and validated parking. See the Queen Mary website: www.queenmary.com/lajs for upcoming scheduling. Highly recommended.

This article is reprinted with kind permission from the April 2007 issue of LA Jazz Scene.