A Workshop Moment

Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival
Moscow, Idaho
2/25/07

In the packed ballroom of the University of Idaho's student union building, The members of the festival's house rhythm section were answering questions. Jeff Hamilton, Benny Green, Christian McBride and Russell Malone now and then played to illustrate a point. A young woman asked what they do to prepare when a soloist is going to perform with them. Following a brief reply concerning repertoire and key signatures, Hamilton asked the questioner what her instrument is. She told him that she is a vocalist.

"And what would you sing with a band?" Hamilton asked.

"A standard, probably. Maybe "Autumn Leaves."

"Come on up and sing it," he said.

As the singer made her way to the stage, several hundred audience members took a deep breath. She huddled with the musicians for a moment, went through the find-a-key exercise with Green, agreed on C-minor and sang one chorus of "Autumn Leaves." In French. In tune. With great poise. She got a big hand from the audience and the musicians.

In a brief conversation with her at the end of the workshop, I learned that her name is Kathryn Radakovich and that she is a student at the University of Idaho.