Originally from Minnesota and having spent the last few years performing in jazz clubs in the Bay Area, Holland is new to the Los Angeles jazz scene — she moved into a downtown L.A. apartment last summer with her husband, who has had success in the Nashville music scene as a staff songwriter for Warner/Chappell Music and Mike Curb Music.
With three independent CDs under her belt, including one released last year titled “Swing, Bossas, Ballads and Blues,” Holland exudes passion and has a deep connection with the songs she sings, especially in the laid-back atmosphere at Left Coast.
Holland’s renditions of the original French classic “Autumn Leaves,” Americanized by Johnny Mercer in the late 1940s, was luscious and perfectly on par with the relaxing mood of the evening. It was followed up by another favorite, “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Her original songs were just as apt, including “Barcelona” and “Curiosity,” in which Holland sang in the glow of the low red lights that surrounded her on the second floor.
With her well-rounded voice and charm, it’s no surprise that Holland has written a tribute to Peggy Lee. In black knee-high boots, Holland sang, “I learned that love is a game, men are tigers to tame, so hang it on me, blame it on Peggy Lee.” Her set also included standards such as “Come Fly With Me” and “I Only Have Eyes for You,” but Holland really shone singing the bona-fide jazz hits “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face” and “Maybe You’ll Be There.”
Holland took a short break, where she mixed with patrons and absorbed the ambience of the night.
And in a quaint wine bar, where a few drinks and appetizers were enjoyed on a relaxing Friday night, Glendale gained some serious soul.
About the writer LIANA AGHAJANIAN is a journalist covering arts, culture, news and more for print and online publications in Los Angeles and beyond.
