Nnenna Freelon performed a long set with no intermission at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, Friday, April 7, 2006. The concert was free and open to the public which began assembling more than an hour prior to concert time. Needless to say, it was standing room only. This was a good gig for Freelon who was at the college on a McCormack Residency which has hosted jazz musician Joshua Redman and poet Robert Pinsky among others. This concert was the culmination of Nnenna's residency.
Freelon is a six-time Grammy Award nominee in two jazz vocal categories. Beautiful to look at, this mother of three has a very dramatic flair in addition to her vocal talents. Her onstage movements and facial expressions amounted at times to acting and dancing skills. She started off in a Frank Sinatra bag with "All or Nothing at All." Her back-up group was superb with percussionist Beverly Botsford rising to the level of co-front liner at times. Normally averse to percussionists, I was totally captivated by Botsford's performance. From her score of instruments she always chose just the right one for just the right accent dancing among them like an antediluvian elf.
Nnenna spent much of her time honoring the memory of Billie Holliday, conjuring up her spirit and life with a running commentary. She performed Billie's compositions "God Bless the Child" as well as the number after which Billie had to leave the stage, "Strange Fruit." Freelon recorded "Blueprint of a Lady" on Concord Records in 2005 so Lady Day's legacy is a major focus of her work.
Some of her approach was reminiscent of Cassandra Wilson as she deconstructed melody, harmony and rhythm and then reconstructed these elements into a unique blend. Only the lyrics stayed the same. Drummer Kinah Boto laid down reggae, hip-hop and funk beats, but hardly any swinging 4/4. Pianist McCune and bassist Batchelor had some good solos along the way. About the only song sung straight was the spiritual, "There is a Balm in Gilead" done with just voice and piano.
She sang the ultimate My-Man-Done-Me-Wrong song, "Don't Explain," sounding much like Nancy Wilson who specialized in that genre with songs such as "Guess Who I Saw Today." Nancy is known for her precise diction and extended sibilants, and Nnenna followed in her footsteps in that regard.
After the finale, "All of Me," the very appreciative audience brought her back for an encore featuring Botsford wailing on congas. From smoky joints to prestigious colleges, jazz has come a long way. Not intimidated at all by the "hallowed halls," Nnenna dispelled whatever vestiges of staidness might have remained at Skidmore. It was nice of the Dean to open the concert to the public, and I felt it was well worth the drive in the rain up the New York Thruway from New Paltz where I started and ended the day.
