The Gaea Schell Quartet at Steamers. L-R: Ryan Doyle(d); Steve Cotter (g); Gaea Schell (p/voc); and David Miller, (b) © Glenn A. Mitchell

Pianist/vocalist Gaea Schell continues to bring vibrant jazz music to some key venues around L. A. and Orange County. She has appeared several times at Steamers. This particular Tuesday evening in late July was nothing short of sweet from beginning to the night’s conclusion. Her quartet had Steve Cotter on guitar; David Miller on bass and Ryan Doyle on drums.

Schell’s program started off with a tune I wasn’t familiar with, “Nobody Else But Me,” written by Jerome Kern. I noticed right away the comfortable sound this quartet made. Guitarist Cotter, and pianist Schell worked well together, not getting in each other’s way at any time, just a swinging, meaningful musical blend. Schell, Miller and the rhythm section locked in on time settings for all numbers, which created magical trust for each player’s solos.

The next tune, a bossa by Antonio Carlos Jobim, “If You Never Come to Me,” was played and sung by Schell. She and Cotter displayed some beautiful chord comping for each other’s benefit. Her voice is suave and expressive.

There was not a full house this particular week night, but the audience was responsive and thoroughly enjoyed this quartet. Continuing songs of the set included Schell’s cool arrangement of Mercer/Van Heusen’s “I Thought About You,” from her newest CD, For All We Know. Tasty soloing from Schell, Cotter, Miller and Doyle impressed the audience, who acknowledged their talents. One of Cotter’s influences for his playing along career lines is guitar great Jim Hall, reflected in different songs and progressions of his jazz guitar work.

Gaea Schell hails from Canada, but has been here in the L.A. area for several years after spending three years in New York . She composes her own tunes, too. One in this first set was titled “Requited,” a pretty ballad with some unique changes, making it an unusual arrangement. She sang and played her own arrangement of “Skylark.” The set closed with probably the best tune of the evening, an arrangement of “Alone Together,” with Doyle putting together an impressive drum solo. This quartet has lots of dynamic sensitivity and produces a real East Coast sound in their work.

I was able to catch Gaea Schell before her upcoming working trip, including an appearance at the San Jose Jazz Festival, some dates in Portland, OR, and onto some engagements in her home country of Canada. See her informational website, www.gaeaschell.com.

Glenn A. Mitchell is a bassist and writer living in LA. For a Jazz Police review of Gaea’s CD (For All WeKnow), click here!