Catherine Russell Brings Her Natural Approach to the Pasadena Pops

"Catherine's sixth album, "Harlem on My Mind" (Jazz Village) is a loving homage to a panoply of classic, though sometimes unjustly obscure, songs that range from risque blues ("You've Got the Right Key But the Wrong Keyhole") to Billie Holiday's "Swing! Brother, Swing!" to ballads like "The Very Thought of You." Her triumph is Russell's natural, unforced way with a song, and the personal touch she brings to it. She's scrupulously faithful to the tone of the lyric and avoids the hot-mama affectations that betray so many contemporary singers when addressing traditional material. In this, she virtually stands alone on today's jazz landscape. Russell joins Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena Pops Orchestra for their summer series Saturday at the L.A. County Arboretum in Arcadia." - Kirk Silsbee