Music: Jomama Jones Proves Drag Cabaret is SO Summertime
Sparkling soul songstress Jomama Jones is back at it again. She warmed and then stole my heart earlier this year in her cabaret-style show Radiate at the Soho Rep, but apparently this has not contented her. Since the show wrapped this busy little bee has released a new album and recently announced a set of select summertime shows for NYC.
Jomama is a stage persona and creation of New York artist Daniel Alexander Jones. Like the best drag acts, she’s got gams that make females weep with jealousy, but unlike many other queens her talents go far beyond looks. Jomama’s voice is a delight to experience, warm and pure, and wielded with undisputed skill that rivets you to your seat and rouses you from the depths of your soul in turn.
As with most successful cabaret acts, Jomama Jones doesn’t translate completely to recordings. In person Jomama cast a spell on the audience one person at a time, with the little looks and expressive gestures that individualize the performance. A good cabaret singer makes me feel like I’m sitting alone at a candlelit table and watching someone sing just to me, and Jomama does this effortlessly (it would seem).
Though the personal connection is something that I miss when I listen to her new album, there are still some righteous jams that deserve to be on your summer rotation. I’d recommend “Endless Summertime,” “Sunbeam,” and “Show Pony” for kicking off the season with just the right dose of funk.
If you’re in NYC, you can get a hit of the Jomama Jones magic later this month, as she will be performing June 21st and 22nd at 7:30 and 9:30 each night at the Symphony Space – check out symphonyspace.org for more info and to buy tickets.
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