L. to R.: Dean Koba-drums, Christoph Luty-bass, Jackie Ryan-vocals, Tamir Hendelman-piano, Betty Hoover-owner (A-Frame), Red Holloway-tenor sax.

Jazz vocalist, Jackie Ryan, is now at the top of her game.  Her concert on August 10th, with premium musicians Red Holloway (tenor sax), Tamir Hendelman (piano), Christoph Luty (bass) and Dean Koba (drums), was literally  a grand try “to bring the house down” – the A-Frame, that is.  A-Frame is a private home in the Hollywood Hills owned by Betty Hoover, who hosts regular concerts and has no trouble filling her beautiful abode for patrons buying reasonably priced tickets.  She brings in world-class talent several times a year.

Ryan’s voice is special for jazz.  It is strong, captivating and alluring.  Of the tunes she performed, many were from her latest CD, You and the Night and the Music – a CD which topped the jazz charts for 34 straight weeks!    Hoover did the announcement of the musicians, telling a little about each.  The quartet with Hendelman, Luty, Koba and tenor sax sensation Holloway kicked things off with Jobim’s “Wave.”  This arrangement/rendition brought a wonderful round of applause for starters.  Ryan was introduced with an equally exciting amount of appreciation and began with "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To,” from her newest CD.  The riffs played by Hendelman and Luty really make this probably the hottest number of the whole CD.  She continued with “The Very Thought of You,” “Let There Be Love” including an exquisite bowing (arco) bass solo from Luty, and next “Besame Mucho,” all from her newest CD. Tamir Hendelman did a fantastic job arranging for many of the tunes! A favorite, “Something Happens to Me,” wowed the audience with the group’s overall dynamic performance.  This number was made famous by the late, great Shirley Horn and never fails to delight true jazz fans.

Ryan also did some nice dancing between choruses, while Holloway’s bluesy and down-home sound gave special flavor to the tune.  His credits go way back, including work with late jazz legend, alto saxman Sonny Stitt, as an example, and many, many more.  Drummer, Dean Koba’s playing was continually crisp.  He almost always is smiling – a welcomed pleasant quality! Another vibrant swinging song, a key winner that Ryan performed was “I Just Found Out About Love.” Her voice is sultry and convincing.  It is as if a story is being told in all of her songs.   

Jackie Ryan is working on a new CD coming out early in 2009.  Tamir Hendelman, bass great John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton are about to come out with their new CD, Playground, and the trio gave us a preview of Tamir’s new tune, “Spring Action.” A lot of great jazz here, and closing the first set, with Ryan rocking the audience and Hollway's sultry, stellar sax soloing, was Percy Mayfield’s “Please Send Me Someone to Love.”

In the second set, one of the selections that stuck with me was a sweet, melodious Portuguese ballad, “Anos Dourados (Golden Years),” written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Chico Buarque. Once again, Ryan’s voice comes across pure, soft and sweet. A joy to listen to, this tune comes from her previous CD, This Heart of Mine.  Duke Ellington’s “Just Squeeze Me” and “The Best Is Yet to Come” were among several favorites that followed. This audience of over 120 reveled throughout this splendid concert presentation, showing meaningful applause.   Ryan chose to honor Red Holloway by inviting him to play "Red Top" to close out this wonderful jazz concert. He carried the blues in spectacular fashion, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation.

Be sure to see: www.jackieryanmusic.com and www.aframejazz.com. 

Glenn A. Mitchell is a bassist and writer for L.A. Jazz Scene.