O’s Notes: Sylvia Brooks Live is a warm set of ballads backed by musical director, pianist Christian Jacob and his band. The place is Herb Albert’s Vibrato Jazz Grill in Los Angeles. Sylvia’s soft vocals and rich tones are perfect for these blues-based ballads with very intriguing stories. Among the best are “Blues In the Night” – an instrumental, “The Red Pig Flew Up the Hill” with sweet horn harmonies, and “Tender Trap” with Jacobs dazzling solo. This is a fine showcase of the headliner’s songwriting and musical talents.
Jazz’s Influence on Contemporary Pop and R&B
Jazz has long been one of America’s greatest cultural exports. Just the same, it’s longtime innovation, emotional depth, and sophisticated musicality has made it a lasting influence over innumerable genres — most particularly, today’s Pop and R&B. These modern...
