Emerging jazz songstress Tiana Young has been singing most of her young life. With opera and musical theatre in her musical frame, she understands the magic of her voice and the importance of stage presence. Both were evident in spades at her recent gig at Lazybones Lounge. But it was jazz through and through that radiated into the Saturday night shoulder-to-shoulder crowd.
In addition to three of her original compositions, the gig featured many a jazz standard, re-arranged to give her voice room to fly, and space for some superb improvisations from her backing group. They were Billy Ward on sax, Wilbur Whitta on keys, James Shortland on bass and Alex Inman-Hislop on drums.
Opening with the 1953 Van Heusen/Bourke tune, the climate appropriate Here’s That Rainy Day, the vibe moved to the feel of Brasil with Jobim’s Someone To Light Up My Life, touched with Tiana’s emotional empathy that comes from singing in eight languages.
Two of her own compositions followed. It was Comedienne, the single from her upcoming album, Serendipity, that brought sheer magic to the stage. Whitta’s solo took the tune to exotic depths, being recaptured by Shortland’s bass, and embellished by Ward’s sax. But it was Tiana’s voice that stole the intonation and tone right out of the saxophone bell, giving lyrics to the engaging melody.
The first set concluded with two show tunes to which Tiana gave new depth. My Favourite Things left the bounds of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, displaying Tiana’s embrace of musical theatre.
The second set brought enthusiasm and energy, with an excellent take on Cole Porter’s Love For Sale, given extra feeling to a track made famous by Billy Holiday. Jazz standards My Funny Valentine and Lover Come Back To Me surrounded her own composition, a gentle romantic Candlelight.
Indeed, Candlelight will be available as a single on all streaming platforms from 22nd May.
It was a gig full of personality, presence, and energy. Don’t miss her next one!
Tiana Young is the 2025 2MBS Weatherley Jazz Scholar.