Jazz : Corky Hale’s Harp Hits a High Note

“Nice and Easy” was the first song in Corky Hale’s show on Friday at the Gardenia--a perfect opener, defining a unique set that displayed her multiplicity of talents.

The autobiographical format left no doubt that she has had a career straddling idioms and instruments. Starting with preteen jobs at home in Freeport, Ill., she worked with Horace Heidt, Liberace, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and dozens more.

Illustrating her narration with a solo for each artist, Hale sang on some numbers, her voice modestly sufficient and pleasing, and played piano often in a style that crossed borders among pop, jazz and classical, but achieved her true moments of glory playing the harp. Hale plays it with a finesse that fits its special grandeur, even making it swing and revealing a subtle harmonic imagination.

Backed at times by bassist John Leitham and keyboardist Jeff Lass, Hale took the audience entertainingly through this guided tour of a spectacularly eventful life. Not by chance, every song illustrating her story was a classic pop gem.

Hale has long been one of the most underrated artists on the entire music scene, largely because she chooses to perform so infrequently.

Due back this weekend at the Gardenia, she is a treat not to be missed.

* Corky Hale appears Friday and Saturday at the Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd. $12 cover, $8 two-drink minimum. Dinner at 7 p.m., show at 9 p.m. (213) 467-7444 .