Released 20 years ago
Live at the Jazz Bakery
Sara Gazarek · 2006
53 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A vibrant live recording that captures the warmth and spontaneity of jazz, blending classic standards with Gazarek's distinctive vocal style.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) — This track highlights Gazarek's ability to convey deep emotion through her nuanced phrasing and impeccable control, transforming a familiar standard into a deeply personal experience.
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You've Changed — In this rendition, Gazarek employs subtle dynamics and timing to enhance the song's themes of regret and longing, showcasing her interpretative skills.
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Let's Try This Again — The playful interaction between Gazarek and her band adds a layer of spontaneity, making it a standout moment that exemplifies the live atmosphere of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal performances and skilled instrumentation, but its cohesion is affected by the mix of standards and originals.
What we noticed
- Several tracks include extended instrumental sections, allowing the accompanying musicians to showcase their improvisational skills.
- The performance captures a live audience's energy, with moments of interaction between Gazarek and the crowd enhancing the overall experience.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- vibrant live performance energy
- emotional depth in interpretations
- intimate setting for connection
- playful standards with fresh twists
- cathartic moments of expression
Maybe skip if you
- prefer studio polish over live
- seek fast-paced listening experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Live at the Jazz Bakery' was released in 2006, Sara Gazarek was establishing herself as a prominent voice in contemporary jazz. This album followed her critically acclaimed debut 'Ghostbird' and showcased her growth as an artist, emphasizing her ability to reinterpret jazz standards while maintaining an intimate connection with her audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cécile McLorin Salvant· Kurt Elling· Esperanza Spalding
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cheek to Cheek 4:03
- 2 Too Darn Hot 2:43
- 3 More 4:29
- 4 Yours 4:03
- 5 You Are My Sunshine 3:38
- 6 So This Is Love 3:04
- 7 Give Me That Smile 4:29
- 8 I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 6:23
- 9 You've Changed 4:24
- 10 Let's Try This Again 3:38
- 11 Don't Know How to Stay 8:08
- 12 Makes Me Feel This Way 4:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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