Catherine Russell Sings Standards at Birdland (NY Times)

by Stephen Holden

"At a moment when the world can seem dangerously out of balance, it is still possible for a musician to convey a groundedness and a joy that don’t seem smiley-faced and goody-goody. A fine place to find it is Birdland, where the jazz singer Catherine Russell began a short run with her sextet on Tuesday evening, projecting a strength, good humor and intelligence that engulfed the room in a mood of bonhomie. She reminded you that even in the most chaotic times, there are oases of calm.

The vintage songs she chose were treated as standards whose sentiments apply as much today as ever...performed with spirit, understanding and a sense of fun. Ms. Russell and her crew brought them all."