The 10+ Best Shows of 2006 Special Mentions —-
... The Plush Room hosts many, many terrific performers, most notably last year were Paula West and Maude Maggart, as well as local cabaret performers Vandana Bali, Barry Lloyd, Linda Kosut, and Lua Hadar.
“The music, the poetry, everything about the show was outstanding. Yes, it was classic Jazz and very soul-filled. Yet to say only that is an understatement. The show deserves spotlight attention [from mainstream media].”
As long as she's living, San Francisco jazz singer Linda Kosut will show her affection, and loyalty to Oscar Brown Jr., the great singer/ songwriter who composed Brother, Where Are You?, The Snake, and Dat Dere. She's paying homage to her hero with a show, "Long As You're Living: the Songs of Oscar Brown Jr." at Jazz at Pearl's in North Beach, on Nov. 16. She's backed by the Max Perkoff Jazz Ensemble. San Francisco is the launching pad for her tour with the show.But the Jazz at Pearl's show will be a bit different. Maggie Brown, Oscar Brown Jr.'s daughter, will appear with Linda Kosut, and sit in on a few numbers. How cool is that? … read the entire article
“Her voice … silky and sinuous … a smoky plaintiveness similar to Sarah Vaughn, but with an edge worthy of Janis Joplin. Accompanied by the Max Perkoff Jazz Trio, she made smooth transitions between widely different styles … the assortment drawn from [Brown’s body of work] made a lively, varied program.”
"Linda Kosut and her lovely voice delivered a selection of pop songs of the era and concluded with leading the audience singing "Happy Birthday Balboa." Read on ...
" 'I Think It's Gonna Rain Today' is such a lovely, plaintive rendition. Every other one I've heard always struck me as so overblown, over-produced for such a lovely, haunting song. I love your version. Less is More."
The Back Stage Bistro Awards recognize achievement in a wide variety of categories — from outstanding performances to outstanding accomplishments and contributions by members of the cabaret community. New categories can be drawn up each year as they best describe the recipients, and categories may be dropped as well. The object is not to choose the best but to congratulate those who have done something special during the year.
The Bistro categories may recognize performers who are newly arrived on the scene as well as those who have been performing for many years. They honor performers whose artistry promises a bright future (the Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award) and those who have spent their entire careers dedicated to the art (the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award).Read the full article here ...
Amateur singers, veteran talent
by Shaun Knittel - SGN Staff Writer
American-Style Cabaret Workshop
Julia's on Broadway, October 11
with teachers Arnaldo Inocentes, Linda Kosut and
Daryl Spadacini
Julia's on Broadway hosted the first ever American-Style Cabaret Workshop Concert on October 11, showcasing the talents of five of Seattle's newest cabaret performers. The dinner show was an enjoyable evening of song, style, and community that left the audience feeling entertained, and left some asking, "How can I sign up for the next workshop?" read more ...
It's your one chance to witness an intimate tribute to a jazz legend. Singer Linda Kosut and a special guest reveal the passion behind the eagerly anticipated performance.
Jazz singer Linda Kosut's voice has drawn comparisons to that of Sarah Vaughn with a mix of Janis Joplin. Tonight at Pearl's, San Francisco's premier jazz room, she performs a tribute to the late jazz legend Oscar Brown, Jr. Linda and singer Maggie Brown, the daughter of Oscar Brown, Jr., stopped by The View from the Bay to visit with Spencer and Janelle.
An Oscar Brown, Jr. Collaborationby Dr. Elyse Curtis, New York
Norman Curtis, composer/pianist (husband of Elyse Donathan) collaborated with his fellow Chicagoan, Oscar Brown, Jr. on some of his songs from 1955-1960. Oscar passed on a few years ago, but his creativity lives on. One of the songs on which Norman collaborated: "Rags and Old Iron," recorded by Nina Simone, was reborn when it was used in a mix called, "Love Story."
Currently, there is a renaissance of Oscar's life and work through a documentary, The Oscar Brown, Jr. Story, Music Is My Life, Politics My Mistress, which has been shown on PBS and film festivals, and "A Tribute To Oscar Brown, Jr." by singer, Linda Kosut, a native New Yorker, who now lives in San Francisco.
While researching her subject and collecting material for her tribute, Linda kept running into Norman's name on the music. Her effort to follow all leads to contact anyone connected with the work, led her to the Internet. After many Google searches, she came across my site: solministry.com and a Norman Curtis. She contacted me and I confirmed that indeed it was the right person. Last year, Linda visited us before heading to Chicago to meet with Oscar's daughters.
This year, Linda returned with a complete theatre piece. It was a brilliant tour de force, an emotional roller coaster: pathos, tears, humor, the whole gamut. She captured his life, his work, the times in which he lived and the state of the country and the world. I was grateful that she did "Bid 'Em In," Oscar's song of an auction of a young black enslaved girl, in dim light. As it was, I could barely control my tears. And at one point she introduced [my husband] Norman, who accompanied her in one of the songs for which he wrote the music.”
This Tribute to Oscar Brown Jr. was one of the best shows that I have seen all year so far. The research, the tunes, the flow, the band, YOUR VOICE, the charts...it was a perfect show to me. I knew a bit about Mr. Brown as I have been performing "The Snake" for years, but you literally gave me a history lesson. However, your lessons came not with endless patter but with his words. Your flawless patter moved the show, but allowed, as you said at the top of your show, for Mr. Brown to be the "star" of the evening. He was, but as channeled through you. The show-stopping "Bid ‘Em In" song about a slave caller was chillingly wonderful and your delivery was breath-taking. (I have chills as I type this remembering the moment.) This is a product that needs about 4-5 more tunes, some major backers and an Off-Broadway run. I also think that this show should play every high school and university in the country as a history lesson on how, if you study this man's words, horrifically and shamefully, nothing has really changed and that they are as topical and applicable today as when he wrote them. Thank you for doing this show...it was just stunning! Congratulations.
Listen to Linda on the Joey Reynolds Show in New York with Max Perkoff and Norman Curtis as they talk about Linda's show and CD, "Long As You're Living - the songs & poetry of Oscar Brown Jr."
Those of you who missed Linda's Oscar Brown Jr. show missed a very special evening. I really did not know Oscar's material before then - what interesting and original lyrics -- and Linda did them proud! Linda, break a leg back in SF!
"Oh it was amazing, really. I read everyone's comments about it being an off-broadway show and I was saying the same thing. Such a smart evening!"
I was SO impressed by not only the work, but by YOUR work! You have a beautiful voice and great musical sensibilities, but I was personally most impressed by your subtle skill as an actress! Your text work and verse skills were incredibly
evident and made the evening that much richer.
You introduced me to so much more of Oscar's material than I could have possibly found on my usual musical travels (and I get around)!
"A Column Of Birds" is STILL with me. I made a promise to myself to sing it someday. It is simply one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard and your performance was WONDERFUL.
I've been enjoying both CDs. You and Max Perkoff make for a wonderful team. And you and our own Barry Lloyd are great on your first CD. Lots of talent out there in my home town. . . ;-)
Thank you so much for bringing such a generous gift to us here in NY.
This past weekend, I had the immense pleasure of attending Linda's show at the Triad in NYC.
I had not been familiar with her work until now, but I DID know that she is an incredibly giving and supportive member of our community and came with a great reputation and a very nice review for her show, "Long as You're Living."
Well, I was totally blown away by her performance, her material, her band and her CD! Everything pulled into one, created an unforgettable tribute to Oscar Brown, Jr. As a lyricist, I was compelled by each word and Linda gave each word its due respect while inflecting it with her own wit, style and grace.
The CD is now firmly rooted on my iPod and played many, many times in the few days I've had it.
I, for one, would love to see her expand this show a little more (add some more tunes) and it could easily go off-Broadway.
