Four distinctive and powerhouse singers join together in a thrilling style in the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s new musical revue “Jazz Hot Mamas.”
Matelyn Alicia, Kenessa "Neyce" Pierre, Teresa Stanley and Naarai Jacobs salute "Jazz Hot Mamas" at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Don Daly Photo/Provided by WBTT
Created and directed by WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, the show is a salute to some of the greatest singers of the 20th century, including Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan.
The cast doesn’t try to emulate the sound of any of the singers, though there are occasional reminders of their individual styles. Instead, with a contemporary flair, they evoke the sounds of an era when songs told meaningful stories of heartbreak, romance with humor and poignancy.
The cast features Teresa Stanley, a founding troupe member who spent the last two years starring in “Rock of Ages” on Broadway; Jacobs’ strong-voiced daughter, Naarai; the sultry sounding Kanessa “Neyce” Pierre, and newcomer Matelyn Alicia, a husky-voiced singer with a dynamic range.
They shine in their solo numbers and sound surprisingly good in a series of duets or group numbers, whether providing soul-stirring backups or soothing harmonies.
In her last Sarasota before pursuing her music career in California, Naarai Jacobs sings some classic music in "Jazz Hot Mamas" at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Don Daly Photo/Provided by WBTT
Audience members will have their own favorites, though I’m partial to Stanley, whose vibrant personality weaves through everything she does, whether swaying side to side as a backup, providing a sense of Fitzgerald’s scatting on “A Tisket-A Tasket” or getting to the painful heart of Holiday’s searing “Strange Fruit.”
But all the singers create exciting moments on the show’s nearly four dozen songs.
Jacobs, who has grown up performing for WBTT audiences, has truly blossomed into a beautifully trained, powerful singer, who can easily transition from a tender “The Very Thought of You” to an emotionally raw “I Loves You Porgy.”
Kenessa "Neyce" Pierre is one of the four stars of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Jazz Hot Mamas." Don Daly Photo/Provided by WBTT
Pierre has an almost demure demeanor at times, but brings out the feelings and romance in such songs as “Unforgettable,” “Misty” and “Our Love is Here to Stay.” And Alicia has a playful attitude singing “Them There Eyes” and builds passion in “Cry Me a River” and “Summertime.”
Matelyn Alicia is one of four singers saluting jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan in "Jazz Hot Mamas" at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Don Daly Photo/Provided by WBTT
The song selection provides a rollicking shift from fast-paced fun to set of earthy blues, that Stanley brings to an end by saying, “I don’t like to stay down too long” before cutting into Dave Frishberg’s comical “Peel Me a Grape.”
The band led by musical director and bassist James E. Dodge II provides another character, or four to be more exact. Pianist R.J. Thompson oozes personality as he seems to breathe the music as he leads and follows the singers, with terrific support from keyboardist J.L. Cash Jr. and percussionist John Walker.
Teresa Stanley, with pianist RJ Thompson and musical director Jay Dodge in "Jazz Hot Mamas" at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Don Daly Photo/Provided by WBTT
The show has a highly polished sheen, with some glitzy costumes by Cristy Owen and an attractive set of oval platforms designed by Steve Patmagrian, all nicely lit by Nick Jones (though some of the spotlights come on a second too late at times).
The minimal, slightly repetitive script, which provides a few informative introductions to songs or singers, is the show’s weak link.
With a bit of editing, it could serve as a comfortable link between songs that come roaring to life by these four talented singers.
THEATER REVIEW
JAZZ HOT MAMAS
Created and directed by Nate Jacobs. Reviewed Feb. 27, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. Through April 4. Tickets are $29.50, $16.50 for students. 366-1505; westcoastblacktheatre.org
