Melody Gardot in concert she's in Seattle 6/19

I saw her a couple weeks ago in Boston. I remarkable performance.

I saw her Portland appearance advertised after I'd already made plans to go to Walla Walla for the weekend. We drank some great wine and ate some terrific food there. Still, I wish I could have been in two places at once.

Thanks again, Stewie - I saw the Seattle show - outstanding! I was awestruck that she's only 25 as she's just too damn wise beyond those few years. If you weren't actually seeing her, you might think you were listening to a 40-something seasoned jazz singer performing original introspective songs, and interacting with an audience with charm, and wit, and a streetwise wisdom. Anyone who doesn't know her story, well, that's another remarkable aspect of her...but the voice, the music, the songwriting and the spirited energy behind all of it! ...Not to mention legs that go on forever! And damn, that sax player was taking names, the entire backing trio were all outstanding young musicians...but the guy on Sax (and flute, and was that a clarinet or oboe?)...just amazing! At one point I was wondering why he was wearing a second sax around his neck while playing another...until he started playing both...at the same time...very well, I might add!! The entire production is vibrant, creative, soulful...unforgettable. She's heading to Greece and then to Europe after that. Don't miss her if she plays nearby. If you can't see her, do pick up one of her last two CD's, which are both outstanding (though as Stewie said, her stage show is a bit of a departure and stands alone as a must-see experience). Think Eva Cassidy meets Diana Krall...with perhaps a bit of the spirited, youthful creativity of Maddeline Peyroux.

Jax2: glad it lived up to the billing! One thing I'd add emphasize in connection with your post. Her story is amazing, as are her looks; but you're right, it's not her looks or her story that make her great. In fact, I'll go further and say those things can very nearly distract you--well, not you exactly--from what is just an extraordinary talent.

As for the trio: the sax player is Antony Ware, and he's just one of the best I've heard, and fairly young I do believe. The drummer is Charles Staab, early twenties, Princeton grad. The bass player is the extraordinary Charnett Moffett, whose father, Charles Moffett was the drummer for Ornette Coleman (hence the name "Charnette"). There's not a weak link in the chain.

I completely concur - only a few minutes of her on stage and one forgets almost instantly that there is any 'story' at all - one is struck by a refined and confident and unique talent generously offered, with absolutely nothing holding her back. The story is more of a remarkable aside, and is no small stepping stone to where she is today, but it entirely apart from her talent.

Thanks for the insight into the backing trio. Absolutely - no weak links there, and the four of them were magic together.