The 28-year-old chanteuse Cat Shell had it right when she titled her debut album Cat's Outta The Bag. Anyone who's heard or seen her is no doubt in on it. Sure, Cat's a true beauty, with all-American, girl next door good looks (if you happen to be a lucky neighbor). Blonde hair, blue eyes ― all that good stuff. There's a good reason she pops up on Model Mayhem (not that we sit around perusing the page, or anything).
But well beyond that, she's a talented acoustic musician, songwriter, and singer with one hell of a sexy voice. Pipes like hers were made for jazz and she'd likely sound as comfortable sitting in slinky dress on a piano in a smoky room as on a stool in jean shorts with her guitar. But hers is a more complex brew, proudly melding vast influences into what she calls "a style that combines the sounds of the past with the present." That's a fair description.
There are undoubtedly underpinnings of soul that hark back to days past. And that sultry voice is as jazz as one could want. But it all gets a pop makeover -- andd packaging that's mighty easy on the eyes. Check out Cat Shell tomorrow, Friday, July 23 at Jada Coles between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Cat Shell. 10 p.m. Friday, July 23. Jada Coles, 2224 Coral Way, Miami. Admission is free; age 21 and up. 305-456-9242; jadacoles.com
