The Brunswick was bursting at the seams to hear local jazz singer Edana Minghella performing many of the well known songs written or covered by Billie Holiday, and in between giving a brief outline of Billie's life.

Edana's singing was faultless stylish and captivating. Supported by piano bass and sax, she competed at times with band arrangements that were distinctive if a little too busy, such as in Loverman.

Other songs worked well, with particularly subtle interventions throughout from Lee Goodhall's sax. In the first set Day In Day Out was a notable highlight.

Billie's life was tough - from poverty to drug and alcohol addictions and spells in prison, to an early death in 1959 at the age of 44.

There were more of the reflective songs, coming from her life experience, in the second set.

With the band becoming more sympathetic to these great jazz standards, stylistic coherence stepped up a gear as the set progressed, and we were treated to classy and hugely enjoyable interpretations of You've Changed, Don't Explain, and God Bless The Child.

An encore was demanded and How High Is The Sky maintained this high standard, rounding off a great evening.

Three stars