Review Text
Live at Pearl's by Wanda Stafford was the last recording made at the late, great original San Francisco jazz club 'Jazz at Pearl's'. Backed by Si Perkoff, piano, Michael Zisman, bass and Vince Lateano, drums. This CD swings all the way through. Recorded live before a 'lively' audience, the energy is sky high! 'These are intimate renditions. The cohesion among Stafford and group is remarkable, the performances elegant' (Phil Elwood, jazz critic) 'This toe-tappin', bluesy, groovin' CD swings the whole way through. The audience was collectively knocked off their chairs. It was Wanda's night and fortunately that wonderful presentation was recorded and preserved for our continued enjoyment....listen.' (Sonny Buxton, KCSM radio) An Indianapolis native, Wanda Stafford has spent most of her adult life in the bay area where she has established herself as one of the region's most esteemed jazz vocalists. She has delighted audiences at such prestigious venues as the Plush Room, Ritz Carlton Hotel, the Jazz Workshop and many others. In her native home town of Indianapolis, Wanda grew up listening and later, sitting-in and working with Wes and Buddy Montgomery, David Baker, Larry Ridley, Leroy Vinegar, and all the many great musicians that came from 'naptown'...She went on to New York and made an album for Roulette Records with Bill Russo arranger and Bill Evans on piano... She left New York for the other coast and settled in the San Francisco bay area. Wanda works in local clubs around the area, teaches voice and performs each thursday at the Panama Hotel, where she plays drums and sings with Si Perkoff on keyboards. She is also doing some club date back in New York City.
