Last show I was at was Jenny Scheinman & Allison Miller's Parlour Game at the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor Michigan.
Kerrytown is my favorite place to see live music these days as it is an intimate concert house, with the emphasis on listening. No audience talking, no cell phones being held up, no bar making blender drinks, etc. One artist we recently saw said, "I am not used to this, I can actually hear myself think!"
The band included Carmen Staaf on piano, and Tony Scherr on bass, along with Jenny Scheinman playing the violin, and Allison Miller on her drums.
The music was interesting and reminiscent of Bill Brisells more Americana stuff, although I don't think Parlour jazz was a good fit for Allison Miller. She was great when playing a bit subdued, but tended to dominate most of the tunes. This group really might have worked without a drummer at all. That being said it was great to hear Allison and be close enough to point out the wingnut that she dropped while making an adjustment to her set.
Tony Scheer, long time Bill Frisell associate, was outstanding on bass.
The real surprise to both my wife and myself was the pianist
Carmen Staaf. As far as I was concerned she pretty much stole the show. Will have to watch for her in the future.
