September 1997

Laura Theodore
What Is This Thing Called Jazz?
Bearcat

By Sunsh Stein

Laura Theodore's voice is a diverse instrument. It plummets to alto depths in "Lullaby of Birdland" where it also heads way over the top. She likes showing off her spectacular range and vocal stylings on most of the standards here. Theodore's musicianship and that of her band produce plenty of wonderful musical moments. But her vocal gyrations sometimes make you feel like you're on an exhausting roller coaster ride.