Tag Archives: Ella Fitzgerald

Live Review & Photos: Andra Day and Chloe x Halle at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay, November 2, 2016

andra-day
Photos by Andy Bartotto

Andra Day has had a hell of a couple years: she released her debut album “Cheers to the Fall,” performed at The White House, Grammy’s, BET Awards, Sundance Film Festival, Essence Music Festival, the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and appeared on Jimmy Kimmel live and Good Morning America. Continue reading…

Poetic Memory: Tori Roze and the Hot Mess (List)

MP3: Tori Roze and the Hot Mess – “Sweet Drank”

Tori Roze has a big voice. With a set of pipes that powerful, she could crack safes, cause hurricanes, or devour Tokyo. But luckily for San Diego, she uses that voice as a force for good, tirelessly treating fans to her sultry mix of blues and soul.

Along with her backing band, The Hot Mess, Roze can be heard around town covering everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to MGMT, or wowing audiences with cuts from her own arsenal of swanky originals. Her talent hasn’t fallen on deaf ears — the song “Sweet Drank” was recently featured as a Tim Pyles Local Member of the Day selection and she was nominated for Best Acoustic Act at last year’s San Diego Music Awards.

Tori Roze and the Hot Mess have a slew of gigs lined up in the coming weeks — including an appearance at the San Diego Art Walk and Street Fair — and in September they’ll take their steamy stylings abroad for a European tour. Playing all those shows requires plenty of stamina and dedication, so we asked them for a list of the things that inspire them. Their Poetic Memory and a list of tour dates are below. Continue reading…

Review: Erika Davies; April 24, 2010; Queen Bee, San Diego

Erika Davies has a voice like a butterfly. It flutters about, agile and light as the air, clearing entire octaves with no visible effort.

Her performances are distinctly old school, from her vintage microphone to her penchant for evening gowns. Even her voice is retro — evoking Ella Fitzgerald and Édith Piaf but never paling in comparison — and it wouldn’t be surprising if her vocal chords were made out of vinyl. She’s one of the brightest diamonds in the San Diego ruff, and at Saturday’s monthly Sight and Sound event at Queen Bee, she was allowed to shine. Continue reading…

Poetic Memory: Erika Davies (List)

If you’ve never heard Erika Davies, then you’ve never heard Shakespeare the way it’s meant to be sung. Her jazzy melodies scoop and flutter above delicately strummed ukulele in irresistible and intoxicating fashion. Serving up a cocktail of jazz standards and charming originals, Davies delivers an enchanting performance, anchored by gorgeous vocals and Amelie-esque charm.

Says Davies:

Before I sat to write this, I tried to recall my first memory of music. I couldn’t. It was as if I had to try and remember what it was like, exiting my mother’s slippery womb. I can, however, remember how tiny I was when singing to my first audience. How natural it felt just opening my soul to them. And how quiet everyone was, listening.

And from then on, music, it seems, has been drawn to me.

Miss Davies is currently hard at work penning her sophomore album, tentatively titled Nothing But A Note Thing, which she plans to record in January. You can catch her in two places this Saturday: she’ll be playing an early evening set at Golden Hill DIY venue The Habitat before scooting over to Air Conditioned for this year’s North Park Music Thing (formerly known as North By North Park). We’ve got Davies’ Poetic Memory list, as well as some additional tour dates, after the jump.

Poetic Memory is a regular Owl and Bear feature in which musicians disclose their influences—whether it’s albums, songs, artists, or something random. If you’re interested in being featured here, send us an email. Continue reading