Jackie Ryan@Largo at the Coronet 10.05.09
By George W. Harris

You’re going to get a good argument from me if you think there’s a
better singer out there than Jackie Ryan, who just gave a fiery 110
minute set at The Largo Theatre in support of her humdinger of a disc
“Doozy.” Backed by the robust trio of Dean Koba/dr, Otmar Ruiz/p and
Carlos del Puerto/b, Ryan made the Eveready Energy Bunny seem
somnambulistic as she went through torrid and bluesy stompers like
“Welcome To The Club” to deep and passionate ballads like Johnny
Mandel’s “A Time For Love.” Throughout the versatile set, she had the
uncanny ability to phrase the lyrics perfectly for each mood, emulating
a child on the humorous “Dat Dere” to passionate intimacy on the
Brazilian “Because Of You.” Ruiz and del Puerto were gliding like
windsurfers on the medley “Brigas nunca mais /A Felicidad” while Koba
kept the music as crisp as an Armani suit on the stompers like
“Opportunity Please Knock.”

The show was sponsored by the Jazz Bakery, which is still looking for a
home, and is currently “the oldest established permanent floating jazz
club in LA.” If shows like this are what the Bakery delivers, there’s a
cultural renaissance right around the corner.