Community Corner
Jennifer Jordan and Mike Barris set the blues alight at the Middletown Township Public Library
Duo's primary repertoire features classic blues and jazz tunes
Local musical duo Jennifer Jordan (vocals) and Mike Barris (guitar, vocals) were recently seen and heard jazzing it up at the Middletown Township Public Library.
The two performed several classic blues and jazz pieces including Ain’t She Sweet, Trouble in Mind and the Billie Holliday standard, God Bless the Child as well as a variation of love and relationship themed music to complement the Valentine's Day aura and timing of the event last week.
Jordan sings in the tradition of blues-belters like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey and proved it with a roaringly risqué rendition of Put Some Sugar in My Bowl.
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The performers briefly explained the concept of hokum — a form of the blues that origniated from a heavy reliance on innuendo and double-entendre — before launching into the tune, It’s Tight Like That from Ma Rainey with Tampa Red and His Chicago Five.
Jordan took occasional breaks while Barris continued on with solo performances including, Steppin’ Out With My Baby, which he introduced as being a song from a Fred Astaire movie where he did not dance, “… And no, I’m not talking about The Towering Inferno, either,” he joked.
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Barris, of Elberon, is also a noted music journalist who has worked with Jazz Journal International, Acoustic Guitar Magazine and the Asbury Park Press Friday supplement, Jersey Alive.
In addition to her work with Barris, Jordan performs a blend of well-known songs and originals with her own group, The Jennifer Jordan Band. She has sung with blues luminaries Buddy Guy, Johnnie Bassett and Koko Taylor.
The performers changed course slightly later in the set, launching into Give Me One Reason, a hit song recorded by Tracy Chapman in 1997.
Appreciative audience member Rosa LoDato commented after what the audience deemed particularly solid vocal turn from Jordan: “Wow, she’s really good, isn’t she?”
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