Sue Matsuki: Jam N' Toasts

JAM N’ TOASTS…More Jammin’, Less Toasts
Le Dome at The Manor – April 22nd 2004

In the weekly Stepping Out A&E calendar, the Cabaret Soiree series at The Manor is listed under "Variety" and, they don’t get much more varied than Sue Matsuki, who headlined at Le Dome on April 22 to a lucky crowd.

What makes Matsuki so varied? Well, when was the last time a cabaret entertainer mixed the likes of Irving Berlin and Elvis Costello? When was the last time a jazz singer delivered one-liners worthy of a stand-up club? And when was the last time a performer captured your heart, not with carefully planned "tear-jerking" patter but with simple sincerity that informed every sung note and spoken word?

Well, that’s Sue Matsuki, the MAC Award-winning cabaret/jazz vocalist who graced the Cabaret Soiree series last week with a combination of pure talent and natural ease and rapport.

She kicked things off with Irving Berlin’s "Blue Skies" displaying a rich and full lover register counter pointed by the lightness of her head voice. Her improvisational skills were evident on the bridge, where she had some fun with catch beats. Delivering a "blue" period that would make a Picasso drool, Matsuki shifted styles and eras with "Too Young For The Blues," "Almost Blue," "Bluesette," and "Shakin’ The Blues Away" which was given a great gospel/revival feel, with Matsuki and Toroian having fun with jazzy touches and dropped beats. The stair-stepping notes were handled with a delicate precision, and the last note of the number was simply great.

The eclectic nature of her act perfectly suited her versatility and dynamic talent, providing an element of the unexpected with each number. Also, unique were Matsuki’s comic abilities. But, for as well-executed as her comedy was, it was her vibrant voice and impeccable musicianship that defined the evening.

The name of her act may have implied there’d be less toasts, but there was one toast she failed to mention: herself. If only for one night, and if only for a few lucky people who were at The Manor, Sue Matsuki was the toast of West Orange!

Deftly directed by Carolyn Montgomery, "Jam n’ Toasts" presents a great group of tunes after each one is set up by "here’s to you" style toasts. Toasts to the many men in her life from her stepfather, "The Greatest Many I Never Knew" (by Leigh and Matine Jr.) to her biological father with "Speaking of Happiness" written by Scott and Radcliffe). The evening was a well packaged mix of Berlin, Bricusse and Mancini, Mercer and Whiting, Mercer and Rowles, Elvis Costello, Jay Leonhart and Carly Simon.

Capturing the audience’s emotion with the songs is key and Sue Matsuki did just that is this hour plus show. With infectious spirit, love for the material and knowledge of the lyrics, Matsuki & Montgomery have crafted a terrific show. Most impressive was Gregory Toroian’s flawless arrangements and Sue Matsuki’s understated vocals on "Have You Got Any Castles, Baby?" Her slow, drawn out treatment of Carly Simon’s hit tune "Anticipation" was perfection.

Clear, Clean and concise, Matsuki was never over the top on her vocal arrangements. Even the comedic "The Couple From Duluth" by Leonhart was funny and cleverly delivered. So much so, that most of the audience wondered if the couple from Duluth was in attendance that evening.

Most of Sue Matsuki’s program echoed the theme of her MAC nominated CD, "A New Take." All of her arrangement had a jazz styling to them and were sung with a different slant and arrangements than we are used to hearing. Smooth and sensitive, she was fresh and delivered both patter and song effortlessly. This is a tribute to her seven year collaboration with Gregory Toroian, who proved to be an extraordinarily talented pianist and arranger.

From her opening song through her encore of "Here’s to Life," Matsuki and Toroian provided an evening of infectious cabaret. I enjoyed the show and wish I could have listened to her inviting voice for another hour. By all means, go and see Sue Matsuki perform.

"Sue Matsuki, a jazz vocalist, was the featured cabaret performer, singing and playfully vamping with the audience…Matsuki was full of surprises, musical and otherwise."

"The room was set up with candlelit tables and a stage for the brilliant performance by vocalist Sue Matsuki. It was a night to remember."

"Thank you for showing us how it can be done with tremendous style, a gorgeous voice and true love."

"It was such a delight to be in the audience and watch you…the quintessential cabaret performer…you are an inspiration to me! Your show was flawless…your banter was as it you were saying it for the first time! You rock girl!"

"What a wonderful show! You have such a wonderful presence and sense of self on stage – you tell the best stories. Musically it was a delightful set. You and Gregory have a great rapport as well – his arrangements were great and they suit you and your voice perfectly."

"Thanks for a terrific show. You were wonderful, sparkling, funny – all good things! You do the definitive "Frim Fram".

"Many people get awards. Many people earn awards. You are an award. To all that know you, have met you and will meet you in the future. May many, many more people get the chance to know you and watch your amazing talent."



			*JAM N’ TOASTS…More Jammin’, Less Toasts* Le Dome at The Manor – April 22nd 2004 In the weekly Stepping Out A&E calendar, the Cabaret Soiree series at The Manor is listed under "Variety" and, they don’t get much more varied than Sue Matsuki, who headlined at Le Dome on April 22 to a lucky crowd. What makes Matsuki so varied? Well, when was the last time a cabaret entertainer mixed the likes of Irving Berlin and Elvis Costello? When was the last time a jazz singer delivered one-liners worthy of a stand-up club? And when was the last time a performer captured your heart, not with carefully planned "tear-jerking" patter but with simple sincerity that informed every sung note and spoken word? Well, that’s Sue Matsuki, the MAC Award-winning cabaret/jazz vocalist who graced the Cabaret Soiree series last week with a combination of pure talent and natural ease and rapport. She kicked things off with Irving Berlin’s "Blue Skies" displaying a rich and full lover register counter pointed by the lightness of her head voice. Her improvisational skills were evident on the bridge, where she had some fun with catch beats. Delivering a "blue" period that would make a Picasso drool, Matsuki shifted styles and eras with "Too Young For The Blues," "Almost Blue," "Bluesette," and "Shakin’ The Blues Away" which was given a great gospel/revival feel, with Matsuki and Toroian having fun with jazzy touches and dropped beats. The stair-stepping notes were handled with a delicate precision, and the last note of the number was simply great. The eclectic nature of her act perfectly suited her versatility and dynamic talent, providing an element of the unexpected with each number. Also, unique were Matsuki’s comic abilities. But, for as well-executed as her comedy was, it was her vibrant voice and impeccable musicianship that defined the evening. The name of her act may have implied there’d be less toasts, but there was one toast she failed to mention: herself. If only for one night, and if only for a few lucky people who were at The Manor, Sue Matsuki was the toast of West Orange! Bill VanSant, Associate Editor, Essex Journal, NJ JAM N’ TOASTS Standing center stage and elegantly dressed in black, she begins her opening song, Irving Berlin’s "Let Me Sing." It’s easy to see right from the first notes why Sue Matsuki was honored with a MAC Award for Female Jazz Vocalist 2001. Her new show with Gregory Toroian, is called "Jam n’ Toasts" and took New Hope by storm when it played the Cabaret Room at Odette’s. Deftly directed by Carolyn Montgomery, "Jam n’ Toasts" presents a great group of tunes after each one is set up by "here’s to you" style toasts. Toasts to the many men in her life from her stepfather, "The Greatest Many I Never Knew" (by Leigh and Matine Jr.) to her biological father with "Speaking of Happiness" written by Scott and Radcliffe). The evening was a well packaged mix of Berlin, Bricusse and Mancini, Mercer and Whiting, Mercer and Rowles, Elvis Costello, Jay Leonhart and Carly Simon. Capturing the audience’s emotion with the songs is key and Sue Matsuki did just that is this hour plus show. With infectious spirit, love for the material and knowledge of the lyrics, Matsuki & Montgomery have crafted a terrific show. Most impressive was Gregory Toroian’s flawless arrangements and Sue Matsuki’s understated vocals on "Have You Got Any Castles, Baby?" Her slow, drawn out treatment of Carly Simon’s hit tune "Anticipation" was perfection. Clear, Clean and concise, Matsuki was never over the top on her vocal arrangements. Even the comedic "The Couple From Duluth" by Leonhart was funny and cleverly delivered. So much so, that most of the audience wondered if the couple from Duluth was in attendance that evening. Most of Sue Matsuki’s program echoed the theme of her MAC nominated CD, "A New Take." All of her arrangement had a jazz styling to them and were sung with a different slant and arrangements than we are used to hearing. Smooth and sensitive, she was fresh and delivered both patter and song effortlessly. This is a tribute to her seven year collaboration with Gregory Toroian, who proved to be an extraordinarily talented pianist and arranger. From her opening song through her encore of "Here’s to Life," Matsuki and Toroian provided an evening of infectious cabaret. I enjoyed the show and wish I could have listened to her inviting voice for another hour. By all means, go and see Sue Matsuki perform. Richard Edgcomb & Stephen Hart Cabaret Hot Line Online August 21st 2002 "Sue Matsuki, a jazz vocalist, was the featured cabaret performer, singing and playfully vamping with the audience…Matsuki was full of surprises, musical and otherwise." Patricia Seremet The Hartford Current "The room was set up with candlelit tables and a stage for the brilliant performance by vocalist Sue Matsuki. It was a night to remember." Lucy Marsters Hartford resident in an article in The Hartford Current "Thank you for showing us how it can be done with tremendous style, a gorgeous voice and true love." Margaret Curry Cabaret Singer "It was such a delight to be in the audience and watch you…the quintessential cabaret performer…you are an inspiration to me! Your show was flawless…your banter was as it you were saying it for the first time! You rock girl!" Barbara Nagpal Cabaret Singer "What a wonderful show! You have such a wonderful presence and sense of self on stage – you tell the best stories. Musically it was a delightful set. You and Gregory have a great rapport as well – his arrangements were great and they suit you and your voice perfectly." Goldie Dver Cabaret Singer/Radio Personality The Jewish Hour with Joey Reynolds "Thanks for a terrific show. You were wonderful, sparkling, funny – all good things! You do the definitive "Frim Fram". Jackie Draper Cabaret Singer "Many people get awards. Many people earn awards. You are an award. To all that know you, have met you and will meet you in the future. May many, many more people get the chance to know you and watch your amazing talent." J.B. McLendon Actor/Playwrite
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