Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are known for classic blues and jazz made the popular way, way back in the 1930s, ’40s, ’50s and even the ’60s. “It’s pretty wide ranging,” said Chris Siebert, pianist for the
Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are known for classic blues and jazz made the popular way, way back in the 1930s, ’40s, ’50s and even the ’60s.
“It’s pretty wide ranging,” said Chris Siebert, pianist for the band.
Wide ranging, indeed. Try swinging over to country, too.
The band’s source of inspiration for its upcoming album is Patsy Cline, one of country’s biggest female stars, who died at the age of 30 in 1963 in a plane crash.
Her spirit, though, and her impact on music, lives on.
“She was a big influence on me from the get-go,” said Smith, who arrived on Kauai Monday night to prepare for Saturday’s show, which is part of the Red Clay Jazz Festival.
Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers will be performing a number of Cline’s collection during the concert, including “Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” and “She’s Got You.”
They’re also working on an album titled “Crazy in Love,” which will be nothing but Patsy Cline songs performed in the blues/jazz style done so well by Smith and company.
“I love those Patsy Cline songs,” she said Tuesday.
These days, many might be accustomed to hearing Cline’s favorites in karaoke parties. What those attending Saturday’s concert will hear won’t be anything like those versions.
Smith is excited, and inspired, by the arrangements and touches she and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers will bring to those beautiful ballads.
“We’ll be putting those in a different light,” Smith said.
Chris Siebert, band pianist, said he was “raised in the spirit of country,” and knew then Cline set the standard.
“She’s one of the great singers,” he said.
Their seven-piece band — four horns, piano, bass and drums — will give a new feel and sound to Cline’s songs. “Crazy in Love,” Smith said, is their tribute to one of their strongest influences. She believes it features some of the band’s best work.
“We’re really, really proud of it,” Smith said. “I think people will really love it.”
Smith, Siebert and band members were out and about on Kauai Tuesday, sightseeing and hoping to get in some swimming and hiking.
“Lavay and I love Kauai,” Siebert said.
“Anytime you guys want to bring us out here, we love it,” he added.
Likewise for Smith.
She said they’re able to bring some of the best music from the Mainland to the island.
“I’m always thrilled to go anywhere with my band, especially Hawaii,” she said.
They’re looking forward to Saturday’s 90-minute concert on one of their favorite places in the world. Fans will hear what Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are known for — classic jazz and blues.
Other Smith influences include Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Billie Holiday.
Smith noted that Cline was country and Holiday was jazz. She loves listening to both because each knew how to reflect their feelings into their music.
“One was jazz, one was country, but they still hit that main vein,” Smith said.
Concertgoers, Smith said, should be ready to get up and dance. She promises it will be a good time.
“I’m so excited. We have the world’s greatest band,” she said.
Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, based in San Francisco, are the headline performers at the 6th annual Red Clay Jazz Festival main concert on Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. at Kauai Lagoons.
The Kauai Concert Association will be organizing the festival.
Also appearing will be the Maui Jazz Quartet and the Pro-Am Band from Kauai, a 12-piece ensemble of local jazz and blues musicians.
There is a Meet the Artists party at The Shops at Kukuiula in Poipu from 5:30 to 9 p.m. today.
Concert tickets are $40.
Call (808) 245-7464 for details.
