Paula West covers the jazz map with talent, fun

Paula West went north, south and east Friday night as she strolled all around the Great American Songbook with great facility and joy.

Her program Friday in front of about 600 festival-goers at the College of Charleston's Cistern led off this year's Spoleto Festival USA Wachovia Jazz Series.

As she worked her way around the landscape of popular song, she was true to her word. In an interview earlier this week with The Post and Courier, she emphasized that she likes to expand the American song canon past where most folks take it.

Not only did she interpret Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart and Nat King Cole, she performed songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim, a progenitor of the Great South American Songbook, Bob Dylan ("Like A Rolling Stone") and Hank Williams ("Jambalaya").

She was backed by George Mesterhazy, guitarist Ed Cherry, bassist Barak Mori, drummer Tony Reedus and highly regarded pianist George Mesterhazy, who is also West's musical director.

It was obvious this ensemble has worked together a lot. Communication among them was almost telepathic as they swung, told stories and had fun. The band generously took the audience along for the ride, offering completely accessible music.

There was no glitz, no flash, no gimmicks, just pure singing accompanied by master musicians working unhurriedly and with great precision. Mesterhazy's arrangements showed them all off, particularly West's contralto voice. She featured measured, even tones, sometimes sustaining notes for long periods while the band romped around her.

The band received enthusiastic applause over the course of the evening as the crowd seemed to revel in music it recognized.

A real highlight of the evening was West's rendition of Cole Porter's "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered." She did a chorus in the middle of the arrangement with bassist Mori that was a knockout.

West and the quartet will perform again tonight at 9 at the Cistern.