JAZZ REVIEW : Gibb’s Fine Set Marred by Poor Set-Up

Marla Gibbs just doesn’t appreciate herself.

That was the problem with her show Friday night. Though she has changed the name of her room from Marla’s Memory Lane to Marla’s Jazz Supper Club, the truth is that even on Fridays and Saturdays, when jazz is indeed on hand, she presents it as if this were a Las Vegas lounge.

This was one of the celebrated TV star’s rare appearances as a singer, but delaying tactics kept the audience waiting while the Gerald Wiggins Quintet played an extended introductory set--four long tunes--followed by two magicians. Ironically, if Gibbs appeared at one of the Hollywood jazz rooms she would not be treated in this manner. When she finally appeared her set was only 45 minutes long.

This having been said, let it be made clear that Gibbs the singer is a total charmer, as easy on the ears as on the eyes. Backed by pianist Wiggins’ excellent group, she allowed solo space for the leader as well as for trumpeter Oscar Brashear and guitarist Doug MacDonald.

Gibbs’ choice of songs left no doubt that her debt is to jazz, and to the women who helped create it vocally. On songs such as “All of Me” there was even a hint of Billie Holiday in her slightly nasal timbre. The arrangement of “If You Could See Me Now” was evidently patterned after Sarah Vaughan’s classic recording.

Gibbs’ experience as an actress enables her to bring to each song a clear understanding of the lyrics. This was most evident in a haunting treatment of “Lazy Afternoon.”