When the contemporary female jazz vocalist norm looks/sounds like posh cosmopolitanism (the Diana Krall, Jane Moneheit, Lorraine Feather model) or stately eminence (Dee Dee Bridgewater, Patti Austin, Dianne Reeves, etc.), it’s not that surprising that some women might take a page from Cassandra Wilson and tweak the mold to suit her strengths. It’s what Nellie McKay has done, playing with mid-century jazz and pops the way Dr. Dre riffed on 1970s funk. And it’s what local vocalist and songwriter Felicia Carter has done since teaming up with bassist Amy Shook. Their 2009 double LP Feather/Step Lightly saw Carter take a throwback turn toward late 1950s jazz and pops.
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