Sherri Roberts: “I’m Hip!” A Tribute to the Hep-Cats of Jazz

“I’m Hip!”- A Tribute to the Hep-Cat Singer/Songwriters of Jazz: Matt Dennis, Bobby Troup, Dave Frishberg, and Bob Dorough

They wrote the hippest songs of the times ( like “Route 66”, “Angel Eyes”, and that satirical anthem of the genre,“I’m Hip!”,) recorded by the era’s greatest stars, including Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday. Yet they themselves were also unrepentant Lounge Lizards and Jazz Club Rats, craving the occasional spotlight and itching to play the piano and croon their wares to their own finger popping audiences.

Drawing a fascinating connection between the Bebop innovators of the 1940’s and 50’s, the Beat generation that revered them, and these hipster singer/songwriters who drank from the wellspring (not to mention the martini glasses!) of both, Vocalist Sherri Roberts returns to Keys with a program that pays tribute to the “Craftsmen of Cool.” Their joyfully clever songs weren’t written for stage or sentimental films, but for jazz singers to sing to jazz audiences- conversational, witty, blue-sy, and hip!

Called “a superior bop and standards vocalist “ by the Los Angeles Times, Sherri promises to bring her own distinct “West Coast Cool” vibe to this entertaining program. JazzTimes said it best: “How appropriate that Sherri Roberts opens with Bobby Troup’s “You’re Looking at Me.” For, stylistically, Roberts bears a significant resemblance to Mrs. Troup, gin ’n’ satin seductress Julie London. But where London’s voice was pale and distant as a winter moon, Roberts’ is all dappled sunshine…Enchanting.”

David Udolf – piano

Chris Amberger- bass

Akira Tana- drums