Curtis Stigers gives ‘must-see’ show at Colony’s Royal Room

The Colony hit a home run Wednesday evening when American jazz vocalist, saxophonist, guitarist and songwriter Curtis Stigers took the stage in The Royal Room.

Stigers began his career as more of a blues, rock and soul singer, also moonlighting as a jazz vocalist in performance and on recordings with artists the likes of Gene Harris, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Prince, Bonnie Raitt, and Rod Stewart.

To start things off, Bart Howard’s classic, “Fly Me to the Moon” electrified the audience. Equally at home as a vocalist and jazz saxophonist, Stigers moved seamlessly from lyrics to literally singing “through” his tenor sax. His instrumental banter with trumpet player John Snyder set the tone for an evening full of surprises and great music making.

The band segued into a heavy Latin feel for the artist’s own, “You’ve Got the Fever”. For those who don’t know Stigers original works, they are a close-knit marriage of lyric, melody, rhythm and style. Each song is carefully crafted and blends multiple styles pulling from his experience in many different genres of popular music.

Stigers has a way of personally connecting to the entire audience not just the folks in front, making you feel that he is singing just for you.

His first album, released in 1991, featured a tune written a year earlier with Barry Mann, “Never Saw a Miracle”. The first notes of this gospel-blues number generated the energy of an old-fashioned prayer meeting set in a speakeasy.

Snyder was again featured on trumpet for “You Make Me Feel So Young” made famous by the late, great Frank Sinatra. Stigers has a dry, self-effacing sense of humor, and his rapport with the audience is more like a conversation with a friend than a lecture on popular music in America. Then came one of the highlights of the evening. In Stiger’s words, “Slow Train Coming”, by Bob Dylan, is cynical, edgy, sardonic and strangely romantic. This performance was just that, and Snyder surprised everyone when he put his trumpet down and whistled mournfully at the end.

“I Wonder Why” — again an original — followed showing Stigers at his best blending lyrics of deep, universal truths with a hauntingly beautiful melody. Next, “One More For My Baby and One For the Road” featured the clean, classy styling of pianist Matthew Fries. Stigers set up the scene by paying tribute to Sinatra’s unique gift for storytelling.

The evening came to a close with a wildly original arrangement of “Bye, Bye Blackbird” by Snyder featuring the walking chops of Cliff Schmitt on the acoustic bass. The fourth member of the band was anchorman, Paul Wells, on drum set. The evening flew by leaving this listener and many others wanting more.

This show is a “must-see” and there are two more chances. Curtis Stigers will be on stage in the Royal Room through Saturday.