JAZZ REVIEWS : CLOONEY AT VINE ST.

Though her venues are usually concert halls and show rooms, Rosemary Clooney took a step toward the intimate this weekend by making a rare nightclub appearance at the Vine St. Bar & Grill.

Far from being a risk taker, Clooney has assembled a trio of fine young musicians and added tenor saxophonist Tommy Newsome to support a jazz repertoire that she delivered during Friday evening’s first set with little adornment. She focused on swinging, which she did effortlessly, and musicality, which was superb. Her approach to her material was straight ahead as she concentrated on instilling each lyric with appropriate emotionality.

Clooney’s ballad interpretations were on the money in such offerings as Cole Porter’s “Why Shouldn’t I,” Rodgers and Hart’s “Bewitched” and Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady.” An obscure Johnny Mercer-Barry Manilow collaboration, “When October Goes,” was a gracefully wrought gem.

But swinging is something Clooney does just as skillfully and her up-tempo efforts on songs from some of the same masters were enhanced by the steadfastness of drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton.

Pianist John Oddo, who fattened the Woody Herman book with his arrangements, played masterfully for Clooney, as did Newsome, whose taste and artistry remains a marvel. (She will perform at Vine St. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday and Sunday).