Gambit Weekly's Hot Seven
October 29, 2002
*Linnzi Zaorski & Night Blooming Jazzmen
*8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3
*El Matador, 504 EsplanadeAve., 569-8361
Walk into El Matador's smoky room on a Sunday evening to listen to Linnzi Zaorski & Night Blooming Jazzmen, and instantly you are overtaken by the romantic ambience of a Prohibition-era speak easy. Singer Linnzi and her men possess the character, looks and sound of the 1930's (even sporting one of those big vintage mirophones), bringing the nostalgia full-circle. Ms. Zaorski delivers with accuracy and assurance, in a cool and well-calculated, half-spoken yet subtly melodic singing style, resembling a peculiar combination of Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Patsy Cline, and Anita O'Day. The Night Blooming Jazzmen's instrumentation consists of drums, guitar, and upright bass, a setting that makes for the perfect non-intrusive backup band. Their repertoire consists of classic period songs by composers such as Irving Berlin and George Gershwin.
No cover. -by Manny Lander