Sophie Milman@Pepperdine University Smothers Theatre 01.29.10
By George W. Harris

If you’re a fan of jazz vocalists, after witnessing a 2 hour
performance by Canadian Sophie Milman such as this one at Pepperdine
University’s Center For The Arts, you’ve got to ask yourself, “Why
isn’t she as popular as Krall or Jones?” Good question!

Snapping her fingers as she strutted on stage, Ms. Milman and her
tastefully swinging combo of Paul Shrofel/p, Mark McLean/dr, Peter
Slavov/b and Samir Zarif/ts-ss delivered hip renditions of standards
that included a samba’d “Day In, Day Out’ and originals like Slavov’s
boppish “So Long, You Fool.” Milman’s husky and breathy voice is custom
made for material like the slinky “Whatever Lola Wants,” and blends
perfectly with Sarif’s dusky tenor and Crescent City soprano he so
amply displayed on the title track of her latest disc, “Take Love
Easy.” What gives Ms. Milman distinction amongst her vocal peers is a
native Russian lilt to her sound that agonizingly warbles with the
pathos of a Tolstoy novel on ballads like “Where Do You Stand” or Joni
Mitchell’s bluesy “Be Cool.” It is that Eastern European pain in her
voice that draws you into her world, and let the audience realize after
the performance that they listened to a lady that feels each word she
delivers. Keep an eye and ear out for this lady.