JAZZ REVIEW : Lundy’s Own Music Makes the Show

Carmen Lundy is not a performer who is bothered by adversity. Opening before a sparse, holiday week crowd at Catalina Bar & Grill Wednesday night, she smiled, greeted everyone warmly and cranked up her act with enough energy to fill the Hollywood Bowl. Troubled after a few tunes by a gown with faulty seams, she stepped off stage during a piano solo, did a quick change and made it back in time to sing her closing chorus.

A similarly self-assured confidence characterized her performance, which included a mixture of standards and originals--most of which are present on her new JVC album, “Self Portrait.” Lundy has worked as an actress and singer, she writes many of her own tunes, is a gifted painter and moves with the grace and elegance of a modern dancer.

Most of these skills were apparent in her hourlong set, but it was her songwriting talent that kept taking the spotlight. Her “Forgive Me,” a gorgeous love song, has the potential to become a pop standard. “These Things You Are to Me,” written for Lundy’s mother, manages to be affectionate and tender without becoming maudlin. And the captivating “Old Friend” is distinguished by an instantly memorable melody.

Lundy’s vocals were more enigmatic, in part because she rarely gave the lyrics of tunes such as “My Ship,” “Star Eyes” and “My Favorite Things” the same careful understanding she brought to her own songs. Her attempts at scat singing--riffing, actually, rather than real improvising--lacked any sense of swing or rhythmic momentum. Yet she occasionally brought beautifully crafted melodic embellishments to her originals, enhanced by a voice that is as richly timbered as it is far ranging.

It was a performance that left one with the feeling that Lundy’s talent--not always notable for its jazz associations, despite its musical refinement--might best be served in an arena more appropriate for, say, an Anita Baker rather than a Sarah Vaughan.

Lundy was ably accompanied by the rhythm team of Mitch Forman, piano; Jeff Littleton, bass, and Herb Graham, drums.

* Carmen Lundy at Catalina Bar & Grill through Sunday. 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., (213) 466-2210. $12-cover tonight and Sunday, $15- cover Friday and Saturday, with two-drink minimum. Lundy performs two shows nightly, at 8:30 and 10:30.