When I was kid I had to look up the word ‘chanteuse’ for a class project and was rather disappointed that it meant ‘a female singer’ I felt it sounded far more superior to mean just that.

I’ve therefore always considered the word pretentious and have been doubtful whenever a singer’s been referred to as a ‘chanteuse’ – I take it as code for “she’s nothing special so we’re using fancy French words to make you think she’s great”.

I saw Alita Dupray perform at Capone’s on Saturday night and was pleasantly surprised.

Most of the write-ups on Alita Dupray referred to her as a “young chanteuse”, that coupled with the fact that I’m not a big jazz fan I figured my Saturday night wasn’t going to be anything special but I had to eat and Capone’s is always fun.

We arrived right before the start of her first set and had front seats; I didn’t necessarily consider this a good thing initially, things could turn very miserable if I didn’t like the performance.

Thankfully, Alita and her band were amazing! I’m surprised I’d never heard of her before.

She has a smooth sultry voice and her routine is quite captivating, her music is a combination of blues and jazz. She had a relaxed infectious energy about her and a sexy confident air that’s evocative of different era – I imagined a Speakeasy.

The food wasn’t bad, I just wish the menu had more fresh seasonal offerings but the great music more than made up for it.

I can’t wait to see Alita and her band again!

I Need You – Lionel Neykov

Premier Gaou – Magic System

Malaika – Soweto Gospel Choir

Ocean Drive – Lighthouse Family

Have you ever felt like you’ve known someone all your life even though you’ve just met?

I met Mike on a connecting flight from Dallas to Seattle last month.

Our original flight had been canceled due to a snow storm and we luckily got a seat on the next departing flight. “It’s not going to be great seats” the attendant warned but we were desperate enough not to care.

Of course, I had the middle seat in the busiest area of the most crowded plane ever!

But all was not lost; I sat next to Mike, he offered me a piece of gum and we got talking… for over six hours!

It turned what could have very well been a horrible traveling experience into an insightfully delightful trip.

I believe we knew each other in a previous life, I hope anyone on a long tiresome journey finds themselves a Mike to get them through.

Mike also makes beautiful music; here’s “Heart of Me ” from his first CD “Let Go”

Hope you like it as much as I do.

del.icio.us tags: music, heart of me, travel