Gabrielle Stravelli & the Brian Newman Band at the Midnight Theatre

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic
August 17, 2024
Edward A Kliszus, Gabrielle Stravelli, Midnight Theatre, New York Jazz, New York Night Life

Rate this post

NEW YORK – Gabrielle Stravelli & the Brian Newman Band at the Midnight Theatre

This week, jazz artist Gabrielle Stravelli and four members of the Brian Newman Band presented a fabulous show at the Midnight Theatre a few steps from Hudson Yards in Manhattan, a unique, chic, intimate venue. The theater is softly and colorfully lit to create a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere. It’s a perfect venue for a celebration of jazz artistry, with its décor of plush seating, elegant dining, well-managed ambient lighting and sound, and an inviting atmosphere for a comfortable, engaged audience.

Grammy Award-winning pianist Alex Smith with Gabrielle Stravelli at the Midnight Theatre. Courtesy alexsmithkeys.com

Tonight, nearly two hours of continuous music went by in a moment! I’ll talk about a few tunes and features.

The show began with lights focused on the lovely vocalist and songwriter Gabrielle Stravelli, who took center stage. The accomplished jazz singer, known for her rich, expressive voice and versatility, opened the night with an exciting up-swing version of I Love Being Here With You. Stravelli immediately projected the sophistication, confidence, elegance, and style her followers have come to expect. Her expressive eyes shined with warmth and passion, reflecting her deep connections to the music.

Bassist Steve Whipple with Gabrielle Stravelli at the Midnight Theatre. Courtesy stevenshinjiwhipple.com

From the onset, it was clear that five accomplished jazz artists were on stage, all capable of driving the performance of various songs and styles with creative artistic energy.

Stravelli led the band through a bossa version of Watch What Happens and an up-swing Old Devil Moon. She masterfully navigated structures with impeccable rhythmic accuracy and melodic flexibility, adjusting her vocal intensity to match the rhythmic grooves.

Gabrielle Stravelli with four members of the Brian Newman Band at the Midnight Theatre. Courtesy gabriellestravelli.com

The concert featured tributes honoring legendary writers and performers like Bob Dorough, Karen Carpenter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mel Tormé. Stravelli’s up-swing interpretation of Dorough’s Devil May Care was playful and whimsical, perfectly capturing the song’s carefree spirit. Her charisma drew the audience as she seamlessly shifted into a rich ballad style in Love Came on Stealthy Fingers, where her delicate phrasing highlighted Dorough’s work’s lyrical, romantic poetry.

Stravelli performed with a stellar jazz quartet, including Grammy Award-winning pianist Alex Smith, drummer and composer Ross Pederson, composer and bassist Steve Whipple, and composer tenor saxophonist Steve Kortyka. With the power of this ensemble, Stravelli ably honored the unmatched artistry of tonight’s featured songs and composers.

Steve Kortyka, Tenor Saxophonist with Gabrielle Stravelli at the Midnight Theater. Photo by bfreedphoto

Performing Just in Time, Stravelli again displayed her vocal scatting agility and dynamic range, reminiscent of Fitzgerald’s signature style, while making the song her own. The band’s tight rhythm section supported Stravelli with a vibrant, swinging backdrop, allowing her voice to soar, eliciting waves of applause and admiration from the audience.

As the evening progressed, Stravelli channeled the improvisational genius of J.J. Johnson in a rendition of Like Someone in Love. Her fluid and inventive scatting echoed the mastery of the late trombonist, and Kortyka’s tenor saxophone complemented her improvisations with smooth, lyrical lines.

Drummer Ross Pederson with Gabrielle Stravelli at the Midnight Theatre. Photo by Will Adamy

The mood shifted to heartfelt nostalgia as Stravelli interpreted Close to You, an homage to Karen Carpenter’s tender pathos. Her voice softened, conveying the emotional depth and purity that Carpenter was known for, while the quartet provided a gentle, supportive arrangement highlighting the song’s poignant lyrics. Stravelli’s version of This Masquerade, another tribute to Karen Carpenter, was mesmerizing.

Stravelli channeled the cool, elegant panache of Mel Tormé with Born to Be Blue. Her smooth, velvety tone, combined with the quartet’s refined, understated accompaniment, captured the essence of Tormé’s sophisticated style. The performance left the audience spellbound with its perfect blend of technical skill, emotional depth, and genuine invention.

After a standing ovation and extended accolades, Stravelli performed an encore to wrap up a perfect night of music.

On stage, Gabrielle Stravelli radiated energy and passion. She moved with fluidity and grace, engaging with her band members and the audience, often punctuating her performance with a playful smile or a knowing glance. She traded licks and soloed in par with the splendid quartet. Her rich, versatile voice effortlessly shifted from sultry low notes to powerful highs, each delivered with precision and emotion. She’s not just a singer and jazz artist extraordinaire but a storyteller, bringing each song to life with dynamic phrasing and impeccable timing. Stravelli embodies the perfect balance of elegance and dynamism and is a force to be reckoned with in jazz.

The Midnight Theatre. Courtesy midnighttheatre.com

Be sure to follow Gabrielle Stravelli and see her when you can. She’s in demand and performs at clubs like Chelsea Table + Stage, Birdland, Dizzy’s Club NYC, The Jazz Cellar, Jazz at Dock’s, Aman NYC, and internationally, so you’ll need to move quickly to catch her next appearance. You can follow her on BandsInTown.

I’m looking forward to Gabrielle Stravelli’s next studio recordings. At the bottom of this article is a link to Dream Dancing, a recording from her eponymous album.