Performance: Songs my Mother Sang

Aotea Centre

Review: Tara Werner


It must be difficult living in the shadow of a jazz vocalist such as the late, great Mavis Rivers.

Although this concert was an affectionate and touching tribute to his mother, Matt Catingub tried just a little too hard to emulate the special magic that must have been there whenever Mavis Rivers sang.

His habit of namedropping the famous jazz personalities she performed with became rather irritating, and throughout the evening there was a surprising blandness to many of his orchestrations of jazz standards.

The arrangements came across as safe, solid and very middle of the road.

Not surprisingly, given that he is primarily a saxophonist, the numbers for big band were the most successful, with fellow instrumentalist Brian Smith allowed to rip in several arrangements. The trombones had a good time of it, too.

Once he had fully settled into what can only be called a cross between resort-hotel cabaret and big-band swing, Catingub seemed to relax, moving easily between his many roles.

His vocals had a smooth, easy-listening quality, and it was clear he was no slouch as a saxophonist and pianist.

Solo singer Caitlin Smith also had to work hard to create a laid-back atmosphere for this final of the Jazz and Cabaret Series 2000.

While many of her stage mannerisms looked somewhat set in their ways, her ready confidence quickly compensated. Big, rich and smooth, her voice suited all the arrangements, particularly the blues, beautifully.

Meantime, Catingub's uncle, Harry Rivers, also came on stage, showing that jazz must be in this Samoan family's genes.

Although his presence gave several of the numbers a heartfelt twist, this section was the least successful of the evening, simply because of its unevenness.

As for the orchestra, many of the musicians in the Auckland Philharmonia looked positively bored throughout the proceedings.

Apart from the brass, their performance sounded as though it was lacking in rehearsal and was without their customary spark.