Choklate

Choklate at Jazz Alley

J&J Music's own Josh Rawlings recently performed at Jazz Alley, backing up Seattle Soul singer Choklate. It was an amazing night of music, and a real coup for all involved. Choklate is the first local Soul artist that Jazz Alley has allowed to grace their hallowed stage, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer and more talented artist. This was also Josh's debut on the stage at the Alley, and a momentous night for him as well. Joining Josh on the band was the rest of my rhythm section in the Jason Parker Quartet - Evan Flory-Barnes on bass and D'Vonne Lewis on drums.

When I heard that Chok had hired the boys to back her, I knew I had to be there. You see, Choklate normally plays electric bass-heavy, thumpin' soul and R&B music. But these boys can do anything, and took Choklate to places she never thought she could go. That's what these cats do - they make everyone who plays with them rise up and give more of themselves than previously thought possible.

The more restrained, jazzy arrangements of Choklate's original tunes were glorious, and a testament to just how good the songs are. Not all music can live up to the harsh light that a stripped-down arrangement can bring, but her songs positively blossomed with the weight lifted off of them. Her voice floated effortlessly above the pulsing rhythms Evan was picking out, the splashes of color and occasional bombs from D'Vonne, and the masterful jazz harmonies from the piano and Fender Rhodes of Josh. Any preconceived ideas I had about missing the bigger sound and horns and such vanished immediately when the band kicked in. This was a tight unit delivering supremely polished music to an enthusiastic audience...what more could you want?

The room was packed with Chok's fans, and she was her ever-charming self, thanking her family and friends by name, calling out her producers and collaborators mid-song, making up an entirely new verse to the Peggy Lee hit "Fever" (which was done as a stunning vocal/bass duet) when she couldn't remember the words. All the things that make Choklate so endearing were in plain sight on this night, and the crowd ate it up. Whether she was singing her songs, songs by Prince or Sade, or just talking to the room, she had us all in the palm of her hand. And even though those of us who know her could tell she was nervous, she rose up and positively killed all night long.

If you get a chance to see this woman sing, take it! She's not going to be contained by Seattle for long, so see her now while she's still playing more intimate rooms.

I hope there will be more nights with this band, as it's too good to come and go so quickly. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted on further developments.