A Red Carpet Evening of Jazz – Singer/Flautist Kaylene Peoples Is a Force to Be Reckoned With!

April 12, 2012 - PRLog -- “I went to church, ate a turkey dinner with my wife and kids; then after the tryptophan wore off, I put on my suit, sipped brandy and headed to Catalina’s.  This day started out spiritual but ended with pure jazz decadence—something I would not have traded for anything.  What a performer Ms. Peoples is; I felt guilty just watching her.  I will never be able to get that song, “Nature Boy,” out of my head again!” Quotes a fan at the show.

April 8, 2012, at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, headliner Kaylene Peoples had a full house on probably one of the most difficult nights of the year—Easter and first day of Passover.  The guests arrived, got seated and were entertained for a jam-packed two hours.  Opening the show was Star Trek actor and Mistress of Ceremony Chase Masterson, who talked about the USTA Men’s Tennis Team and their victory in 2011. Their win and all the teams involved was the reason for the celebratory concert.  

“This was the first time in USTA history that an inner city team won the Nationals,” said Chase Masterson.

Following the sports achievements, tenor saxophonist and opening act Jaman Laws performed smooth jazz infused with funk.  His song selection consisted of hard driving grooves and superb soloing by the band.  His last song was a tune made popular by his father Ronnie Laws.  At the end of his set, Laws talked about his new CD entitled, IMAGERY.

Following Jaman Laws, singer/flautist Kaylene Peoples made her entrance after a glowing introduction by Chase Masterson.  Peoples walked onto the empty stage and opened with a story about it being prom season, and how she had to fight off crazed teenagers and their moms at the mall for her gown the day before the concert—“If I hadn’t had my south central outfit on at the time, I might not be wearing this dress tonight!” Quoted Kaylene Peoples. “There’s something to be said for off-the-rack!  Yay Macy’s”—and Peoples playfully teased her musicians for not being on stage when she got there.  “We were on a break,” exclaimed bassist Del Atkins.  The band scurried on stage and got into position.  As soon as Peoples opened her mouth to scat the introduction to a high-energy version of “Cheek to Cheek,” the attentive audience was smitten.  

“I literally could not take my eyes off of her.  She is a dynamic performer.  I am truly blown away,” said a guest about Kaylene Peoples.  

The song selection included the bossa nova tunes by Antonio Carlos Jobim's “How Insensitive,” “Girl from Ipanema,” and “Once I loved." Peoples soloed on the flute and even sang in Portuguese.  In the middle of her set, she invited Chase Masterson to come up on stage and sing a sexy rendition of “Fever,” followed by a blues instrumental featuring the musicians Del Atkins on acoustic bass, Cory Mason on drums, Kevin Flournoy on piano, and Mark Hammond on guitar.  Other songs Peoples performed included “Lush Life” and “My funny Valentine.”  But the highlight of the evening was the song “Nature Boy,” a high-energy version with outstanding musicianship and scatting.  It was a spectacular performance put on by Ms. Peoples and her band, earning her a standing ovation from a speechless and extremely satisfied audience.

“After watching her perform, it’s safe to say that Kaylene Peoples is a force to be reckoned with,” quotes Chase Masterson.

Special guests in attendance that evening were actors Marla Gibbs and Pooja Batra.  Sponsors for the evening were AGENDA MAGAZINE (www.agendamag.com) and Spacefather.com.