SEQUIM — A bit of jazz, some bossa nova and a dose of samba will fill Wind Rose Cellars, the downtown Sequim wine bar, as singer Robin Bessier and friends arrive Saturday night.
There’s no cover charge to hear Bessier, backed by pianist George Radebaugh and bassist Ted Enderle, explore the Latin jazz canon from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Wind Rose, 143 W. Washington St.
Bessier, who lives in Port Townsend, has released her debut album, “Other Side of Forever,” a collection of freshly arranged jazz standards alongside a few originals.
The CD’s producer, former Port Townsender Barney McClure, wrote the title cut while Bessier penned “Right Here, Right Now” and “Whisper.” Bessier’s cover choices, meanwhile, include Bobby McFerrin’s “Jubilee,” Duke Ellington’s “Prelude to a Kiss” and Herbie Hancock’s “Harvest Time.”
The singer is enjoying praise for her album, her song selections and her style.
“The female vocal scene in modern jazz is a tightly clustered pack with no room for the faint of heart,” writes Brent Black on CriticalJazz.com.
“Bessier demands a little elbow room as she settles in for what will hopefully be a long and successful stay.”
Saturday’s gig is the first of several Bessier is planning around the region this spring and summer. She’ll appear with her Latin jazz and swing group, Porto Alegre, at the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts in Port Angeles on May 24, for example.
To find out more about the singer, see www.RobinBessier.com.
