In late June, jazz singer Lucy Yeghiazaryan had a three-night residency at Birdland Jazz Theater in New York City. Yeghiazaryan was joined by Tardo Hammer on piano, Bruce Harris on trumpet, Paul Sikivie on bass, Philip Stewart on drums and Grant Stewart on tenor saxophone.
Bathed in orange and blue lights celebrating the New York Knicks’ recent championship, Yeghiazaryan arrives on stage to rousing applause. It’s a raucous late-night crowd that clearly knows her well.
The sextet begins with “Lover Man,” an upbeat, bouncy tune made famous by Billie Holiday, before launching into “Loads of Love,” a fun, brassy number that sounds like it’s straight out of a Rock Hudson-Doris Day movie. Loose and comfortable on stage, Yeghiazaryan has an effortless presence and sings through a smile.
The series of concerts is celebrating the release of Yeghiazaryan’s new album, “Hey Love!,” which was recorded at the historic Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey and released by La Reserve Records. Yeghiazaryan produced the album with Richard Stepanian and arranged the music with Stewart. The album features many of the same musicians performing this evening.
“Hey Love!” is her first album as a mother and includes classic jazz songs and an original composition. Mostly from the new album, the concert is a night of “silly love tunes,” from the romantic to the fun, for those currently in love, those not yet in love, those who don’t want to be in love and those who used to be in love.
She is a natural performer, funny and personable in engaging with the audience.
A standout track is “Come Dance With Me.” Joined by a bright and playful trumpet, Yeghiazaryan’s rich, smooth voice shines in this swinging dance tune.
The title track, “Hey Love! / I Thought About You” is a Yeghiazaryan original, coupled with a Jimmy Van Heusen composition. Even before the album was released, a video from the recording session went viral on social media. It’s no wonder, as Yeghiazaryan’s scatting is one-of-a-kind. At Birdland, the audience bobs and sways along as she sings and scats, accompanied by a light snare and piano.
The sextet also performs a few jazz standards not on the album, including “Nowhere,” a snappy song about “single people not interested in love,” and “What Kind of Fool Am I,” a sentimental piece that featured Yeghiazaryan and Stewart, her husband. Yeghiazaryan sings with both a confidence and a lightness that makes each song sound effortless and crisp.
Also included on the new album is a cover of the classic “Witchcraft.” A fellow New Jerseyan, Yeghiazaryan loves Frank Sinatra but argues, “Women make better singers than men.” It’s bold to attempt to outdo Sinatra, but she manages it. Though a slightly slower rendition, her dynamic range and style make it a much more interesting listen.
At Birdland, the audience bobs and sways along as she sings and scats, accompanied by a light snare and piano.
Yeghiazaryan was born in Armenia before moving to New Jersey and she brings a little bit of that culture to the forefront this evening. She gives the band a break and lets the audience know that before she sang jazz, she sang Armenian folk songs with her sisters.
She tells stories about Armenia before regaling the audience with an Armenian folk song about “a man who isn’t home, but who finds home in his dreams.” Without backing instruments or even a microphone, Yeghiazaryan treats the audience to a raw, intimate performance. It’s just as casual and emotional as singing for family around the dinner table. Sorrowful, but strong and clear, Yeghiazaryan’s rendition of this song about longing is reminiscent of the spiritual weight of Lenten sharagans from Armenian church services.
During this folk performance, Yeghiazaryan seems different. She’s not just singing from her heart, she is singing from her soul. In this one song, you can hear the voices of her ancestors living on through her. By the end of it, both she and the audience are noticeably emotional.
From slow and sultry to hot jazz, Yeghiazaryan’s deep, comforting voice is timeless. Like Billie Holiday or Rosemary Clooney, she has a strong command over the music and creates a sound that is a unique combination of classic and contemporary.
Follow Lucy Yeghiazaryan on Instagram or visit her website to learn about upcoming performances. Her new album “Hey Love!” is available for purchase and on all major streaming platforms.
