Last night, I attended Sing and Swing: Our American Songbook at the Howard Assembly Room. The ensemble from New York’s Lincoln Centre recreated the energy and style of early twentieth-century American jazz with clarity and precision.
The performance showed that jazz remains a living, dynamic form. Two singers led the programme, each with a distinct approach that complemented the other. Benny Benack III acted as host, guiding the audience through the evening with confidence and humour. He sang, played trumpet, and moved between songs with ease, inviting other musicians to take solos and adjusting lyrics or phrasing to suit the moment. These touches gave the performance spontaneity while keeping it controlled, and his relaxed presence set the tone for the ensemble.
Kate Kortum offered a quieter, more measured style. She introduced her songs softly, reflecting briefly on their meaning before singing. Her performance of Billie Holiday’s Jim stood out for its clarity and restraint. She drew attention to the phrasing and emotional detail, proving that subtlety can have as much impact as technical showmanship.
The instrumentalists — Andrew Weiss, Jocelyn Gould, Mark Lewandowski, and Joe Peri — played with precision and awareness of one another. Each took turns leading, but the ensemble’s strength came from their balance and responsiveness. Their improvisations remained grounded in the style and supported the overall performance, showing collaboration over individual display.
Midway through the concert, Benack invited a jazz student from the audience to join the group for one song. She delivered a thoughtful rendition of I’ll Be Seeing You, drawing applause from the crowd. The moment highlighted jazz’s openness to collaboration and the ongoing dialogue amongst performers, audience and emerging musicians. It also reminded the audience that improvisation and community remain central to the music’s spirit.
The audience responded actively throughout the evening, particularly after solos, creating a sense of connection that extended beyond nostalgia for the genre. The interaction between performers and listeners made the room feel alive, like a small-scale version of the jazz clubs where this music first thrived.
The Sing and Swing tour production demonstrates that jazz remains a flexible, evolving language. By combining technical skill, improvisation, and engagement with the audience, the ensemble showed how the genre continues to resonate, communicate and adapt.
