Press

Angela Stribling

March 2, 2005 @ New York Bar in Tokyo, Japan


Angela has a soft gentle voice to match her soft gentle curves. But she is more than a pretty woman. Stribling has good rhythm, pace and poise. Her years at BET gave her a sense of confidence that leaves her with presence, a presence that we felt in the audience. She was in the last month of a 3-month engagement and her act fared very well as many listeners were back for their second or third visits.


The trio behind her was pianist Oliver von Essan - originally from Frankfurt and now living in NY; Brent Nussey - a Canadian on bass; and Neil Stalnaker - from West Virginia on trumpet. They were all up to the task. The latter two have lived in Japan the last 6 years. The lack of a drummer kept the beats soft which was appropriate for the setting*.


" Is You Is or Is You Ain't" was relaxed with a cool walking bass line followed by a sweet trumpet solo - one of many during the night. "Don't Mean A Thing... If It Ain't Got That Swing" had whispering, smokey vocals complemented by Neil's muted trumpet and a cool piano (electric) solo and bowed bass. All of the solos were tight but not over-extended so that the mixed* audience stayed engaged.


They came off of their break and warmed it up with a seductive version of "Fever" followed by their versions of "I Wish You Love", "Senior Blues", "Route 66" and "Fly Me To the Moon". We felt satisfied and anxious for more... Angela has a new album is in the works. We are waiting!



* The New York Bar (at the top of the Park Hyatt Hotel) is a hot night spot for upscale audiences with a jazz bar and an excellent steak restaurant. The view from the 52nd floor is spectacular over Tokyo's skyline. Not all of the patrons are 'deep' jazz fans but all engaged in Angela's perfprmance at some point.


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