Jennifer Graham

Ms. Graham was accompanied by Chicago musicians bassist Chuck Webb, drummer Tyrone Blair and keyboardist Bradley Williams. This was an ideal setting for Jennifer as she is "at home" in a supper club atmosphere. Jennifer has such great stage presence and easily captivates the attention of the audience from the moment she utters the first sound out of her mouth.

As patrons dined on a four course meal, the band played soft music in the background , setting the stage for Ms. Graham. Highlight of this portion of the program was extended solos by Williams and Webb on Miles Davis's "So What".Both musicians are respected sidemen who often perform with some of Chicago's finest jazz bands.

As guests completed their meals, Jennifer launched into her first set with standards such as "Them Their Eyes", "I Cried For You","Body and Soul", "Embraceable You", "Unchained Melody", "All Of Me" and "Don't Mean a Thing".

Bradley Williams and Tyrone Blair,displayed nice interplay on "All of Me", to the delight of the audience.

Jennifer's rendition of "Them Their Eyes", was uncannily done in the style of Billie Holiday, without trying to be Billie. Jennifer is such a natural when she's close to and able to interact with the audience. It is as if she's at home in her living room enjoying a good song.

"Unchained Melody" was dedicated to her parents, as it is one of her mother's favorite songs. They have been married over 50 years and are always in attendance at Jennifer's sets.

She adeptly closed out the first set with "audience participation" on Duke Ellington's "Don't Mean a Thing". All enjoyed their opportunity to be part of the "chorus"

The second set also included several selections that can be found on Jennifer's CDs including "Cry Me A River", "Summertime", "Fever", "Misty", and "Bye Bye Blackbird".

"Fever" also afforded the audience an opportunity to join in on the fun by "snapping their fingers" to the beat of the song.

What a great idea by Phyllis Cowen and Gusto owner Andrew Karis to establish a "Cabaret" at this fine Italiano Ristorante. Fun was had by all as Jennifer Graham and her masterful trio thoroughly entertained this festive crowd.. One can only hope that this becomes an ongoing event.

Let's also hope that Ms. Graham becomes a regular on the "Club Circuit", as her many fans deserve to hear the angelic sound of one of Chicago's unheralded vocalist.