Passionate performances of songs associated with the marvellous Billie Holiday made for a great night’s entertainment at Foundry 616. The Rodric White Septet and singer Lana Nesnas presented the songs made famous by Billie Holiday or that have a connection to her and her contemporaries.  Rodric White’s arrangements allowed the talented six piece band to display their considerable skills.

The show opened with a three piece instrumental version of How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky), before Lana Nesnas joined the trio for Them There Eyes. Lots of great songs followed with the size of the band growing or shrinking to suit the song and the arrangement. What A Little Moonlight Can Do was followed by Don’t Explain and They Can’t Take That Away From Me allowing the musicians to entertain and display their skills as soloists and as an ensemble.

The band was made up of Rodric White on pianist, Ralph Pyl on trumpet, Jason Morphett on tenor sax, Danny Carmichael on trombone, Peter Kohlhoff on acoustic bass and Steve Ley on drums. I really enjoyed listening to Ralph Pyl and his trumpet but they were all very impressive. Peter Kohlhoff’s embodied performance on bass was entertaining and along with Steve Ley’s drums provided great energy and drive. Singer Lana Nesnas is not a Billie Holiday impersonator, although her appearance does give a nod to Billie’s distinctive style. She uses her powerful voice to give her own interpretations of these well-chosen songs. It would be difficult not to enjoy a show that includes Lover Man, I Cover the Waterfront, God Bless the Child and Things Ain’t What They Used to Be.

The second set included I Loves You, Porgy, You Don’t Know What Love Is, Ain’t Nobody’s Business, Strange Fruit, I Get Along Without You Very Well, and The Man I Love. The band performed a Miles Davis inspired version of Love for Sale, a slight deviation of the tone of the evening, but it spectacularly displayed the skills of the musicians. It was one of the highlights of the night. Other songs featured were More Than You Know, The Man I Love, Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans, Fine and Mellow and Old Devil Moon.

The Rodric White Septet [Rodric White Facebook] featuring singer Lana Nesnas [Facebook] was at the fabulous Foundry616 [Facebook] in Harris St, Ultimo on 14^th September. The show and venue are both recommended.