Today's review is not of a club performer, although she's put in her time as one, but of a theatre star, and I do mean star! Julia Nixon's wonderful show "Hot and Soul II" will run through July 22, giving you plenty of oppertunity to see it. This is not a play, it is a musical performance par excellence. Nixon's tone is smooth, pure, and gorgeous. You won't ever want her to stop singing.
Scott Gilmore, keyboard genius David Ylvisaker, and Julia conceived the show, and it is a brilliant compilation of memorable songs. The band consists of David, a fantastic bassist Gary Grainger, and our own Skipper Kripitz on drums. This is a whole stage full of talent, with even more to come A short, smoky synthesized horn overture/intro to everybody's favorite, Summertime" opens the show. I've heard jazz, rock, and opera singers do this one, but never as well as Julia. Her fantastic range and exquisite pianissimos were divine. Everyone in the audience was totally sold. She could have sung anything, and we would have enjoyed it. Her choices were wonderful. "Stomping At the Savoy" was a delight with numerous time changes. It gave us a chance to hear David's marvelous technique on both the grand piano and the synths. Gary Grainger played an eloquent bass solo and did some mighty fine scatting. Skipper was on every musical nuance like glue, as he usually is.
Leiber and Stoller's "I'm a Woman" from "Smoky Joe's Cafe" was a show stopper, resulting in a standing ovation. Nixon played Broadway, replacing Jennifer Holliday as Eppie in Dreamgirls", and believe me, Julia Nixon is a dream girl. She's done other roles in locations from Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the House of blues, and has played in the White House for three presidents. Is she a typical Broadway 'I'm a star, and don't you forget it' like so many? Hardly. She's the girl next door, like Carol Channing.
Intermission was begun by the band's delightful "Poison Ivy". Afterward, the second half was opened with "It's a Wonderful World". Then a beautiful little angel , Joanna Nicholas appeared to set up a wonderful Nixon/Ylvisaker song, "Bring Back Springtime" which Julia sang aided by a choir made up of children from the Bahama Village Theatre Lab project, directed by Robin Kaplan, who runs the Bahama Vilage Music Program. They were adorable, and you could spot the star potential in the group.
"One People" from the new CD was lovely. Those of us who loved Billy Strayhorn were overjoyed to hear "Lush Life" and "Maybe", which Strayhorn wrote for his friend Lena Horne. We heard songs recorded by Bessie Smith and a smoking hot "Hound Dog", the original version as recorded by 'Big Mama'Thornton. The show ended with "I Am Changing" from "Dreamgirls". The selections may vary from night to night (a good reason to go more than once), but you'll probably hear Julia sing "Someone To Watch Over Me", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Our Love Is Here To Stay", and "On Broadway".. You don't want to miss "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing", which brought down the house.
I'm sure every audience is as thrilled as ours was. When you discover the magnificence that is "Hot and Soul II", you will be too, and I guarantee, you'll never forget Julia Nixon. So Scott, get to work on "Hot and Soul III" already! If you love the sounds of Tina, Barbra, and Whitney, Julia Nixon has them all, only maybe better. Stay cool.