Sexy Summer Jazz
Cassandra Wilson by Eric Elias
Cassandra Wilson; Tamar Kali – Sexy Summer Jazz
By Laylah Amatullah Barrayn
Cassandra Wilson's virtuosity as a vocalist, musician and bandleader is only matched by her uncut sexiness. Sex appeal, not of the frivolous kind; but that of the truly grown – nothing a 20something could ever claim. Her performance last Friday at Central Park SummerStage began at sunset, a crimson colored sky was her backdrop, along with her quartet of brothers. The set list made necessary stops along her discography, performing her most popular tunes like "Come On In my Kitchen" from her debut Blue Light 'Til Dawn; most of her show comprised songs from her latest records, namely Belly of the Sun.
During his solo, Wilson stared into electric guitarist Brandon Ross' eyes, not unlike a jazz musician would - seeking to gain synergy with her fellow band mate - but the gaze was borderline hypnotic and packed with seduction. Her sleepy eyes even more pronounced now that her blond hair and golden skin meld. The audience was definitely under hypnosis: Wilson gilded across her stage like a belly dancer with smooth undulating twists and turns and grinds. Her sheer, violet tunic hung off her shoulder for most of the night, and her purple sequined, fitted pants animated her strides.
The meandering solos were delivered with sharp, nuanced intellect. The quartet would burst into solos at unlikely times; and cheering them on, Wilson would ask her bass player or guitarist, 'can you love me' or 'stroke it good!' Wilson's rendition of D'angelo's "Brown Sugar" was one of the highlights of the night. Standing center stage and squatting she belted out the funk-tinged lyrics of this neo-soul classic. Wilson gave the crowd a beautiful encore performance of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song."