Music N' Other Drugs

The University at Buffalo has a knack for booking artists whose careers are trending upward at the exact moment they set foot on campus. The Police in 1980, Beastie Boys in 1987, Nirvana in 1993, Kendrick Lamar in 2013 etc.

What American jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant did inside Slee Hall recently deserves to be included whenever anyone discusses legendary shows moving forward, because those of us in attendance were treated to a masterclass in vocal dynamics from a woman whose best may still be yet to come. Clad in a black dress resembling that of a Supreme Court Justice, Salvant held court in front of 700 hepcats without breaking a sweat, as her laser highs and husky lows provided the soundtrack for an evening steeped in adventure.

Accessibility is often cited as an obstacle to getting the average person interested in jazz, but what is more relatable than the intense pining that stems from the object of one’s affection failing to recognize what’s directly in front of them? Compositions such as “Fog,” “Look at Me,” and “Obligation” are rooted in the same kind of romantic entanglements that have made Taylor Swift a billionaire and Salvant delivered them with a stinging sense of purpose.

Combine that with her ability to disarm the audience through humor between songs and you’ll see why she’s considered one of the most exciting voices on the scene today. While you can hear bits of Sarah Vaughan, Bessie Smith, and Nina Simone scattered throughout her oeuvre, the version of Cécile we see and hear on stage is undeniably authentic. Not even when she sang in Occitan, an ancient language spoken in the south of France, on “Dame Iseut” did anyone tune out, which speaks to how brilliantly her band featuring pianist Adam Birnbaum, drummer Keita Ogawa, and double bassist Paul Sikivie helped to execute the material.

Buffalo’s own powerhouse Curtis Lovell opened with a set of original tunes that featured the most creative use of a looper I’ve heard in quite some time. She made every note count and the crowd responded with a well-deserved standing ovation by the time she was finished. My wife opined that she may have stolen the show, but that’s an argument for another day.

What I will say is that both women set the bar for every other show that rolls through town in 2024.

http://www.cecilemclorinsalvant.com