The delightful vocalist Erin McGrane and the accomplished guitarist Jeff Freling lead the Kansas City ensemble Victor & Penny.
They once described their music as “antique pop,” but now they say it's "swing-infused folk-jazz" — based on the gypsy jazz tradition, it's a nostalgic sound more closely rooted in styles associated with Paris and New Orleans than Kansas City.
Bolstered by bassist Rick Willoughby, reed man James Isaac and other musicians in the Loose Change Orchestra, last spring they released Electricity. The album indicates Victor & Penny can hold their own against nationally recognized groups such as the Hot Sardines and the Hot Club of Cowtown.
In honor of Victor & Penny's featured status this week, here's Electricity's “You’re a Revelation”:
Some fun history: McGrane was the vocalist of the sultry Kansas City cabaret group Alacartoona, and Freling once played in the house band for Blue Man Group.
Victor & Penny and the Loose Change Orchestra, 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 at RecordBar, 1520 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, 816-753-5207.
Bill Brownlee’s writing appears weekly in The Kansas City Star and Ink magazine. He blogs about Kansas City’s jazz scene at Plastic Sax.
