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| Vocalist Naima Shamborguer |
The
jazz vocalist Naima Shamborguer's voice wraps around you like an expensive quilt.
I experienced that firsthand Sunday evening, listening to her perform standard songs
from the American songbook at the Blue Llama in Ann Arbor, MI. At times, the
warmth of her voice made me want to climb on the bandstand and snuggle up next
to her. At her concerts, you’ll experience pure singing that draws you in and
makes you feel instantly connected to her. Her knack for conveying
vulnerability, beauty, and strength in a single phrase is remarkable. One thing
you won’t encounter, thankfully, is a bunch of gratuitous scatting; unlike many
of her peers, who rely heavily on that. Shamborguer is always the consummate
professional, understanding her audience pays good money to experience the fullness
of her gift. Unfortunately, she doesn’t perform around the state as often as
she should. However, she has an impressive discography, so if you can’t
experience her live as often as you’d like, at least you have the wonderful
albums that she’s released, like “Naima,” “Round Midnight,” and “A Blossom
Sings” to quench your desire to hear her singing. She opened her hour-long set Sunday
with the classic “Autumn Leaves,” moved gracefully to a heartwarming version of
“Song for My Father,” then showed the depth of her gift on Geri Allen’s
“Unconditional Love.” Shamborguer sang the notes just as Allen originally conceived
them. The highlight of the set was Shamborguer inviting two of her family
members, vocalists Penny Wells and Michael Hanna, the late pianist Sir Roland
Hanna’s son, on stage to sing with her on “Feelings.” The vocalists were of good
form, adding rib-sticking nuances to Morris Albert’s classic. The downside was that
they only performed that number. Not that Shamborguer needs any help serving a
marvelous set. Bassist Jaribu Shahid and pianist Sven Anderson backed her.
Shamborguer voice melted over Anderson’s fingers. The set would’ve been
incomplete without the inclusion of a reworking of Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-A-Ning.”
One of her best albums is her interpretation of some of Monk’s signature compositions.
The Monk gem was the song the trio had the most fun reinventing. Although Shamborguer’s setlist featured songs that have
been performed for decades, her trio’s take made each seem fresh from the
showroom floor.
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