GHOSTS OF THE BARBARY COAST—AND MISS JO— ARE SURE TO BE SWINGING TO THE MUSIC WEDNESDAY WHEN Miss Rudy’s Speakeasy rolls into Enrico’s, the iconic North Beach jazz club and Italian bistro. The show’s 7-11 p.m. and there’s no cover.
(In full disclosure, Miss Jo’s piano-playing husband, Jeff Orchard, will be accompanying Miss Rudy— vocalist Rudy Simone— as will trumpet player Mike Pitre, frontman for San Francisco blues & jazz band Bohemian Knuckleboogie, with whom Jeff also plays keys.)
But the night’s spotlight is on Rudy, a chanteuse whose magical voice is as sweet as it is seasoned, a disarming mix of doe-eyed Judy Garland with the wise delivery of Billie Holiday and sass of Sweet Emma belting out “Ain’t Gonna Give You None of My Jellyroll.”
It may not be readily evident to her music fans, but Rudy’s over-the-moon vocals are also informed by having Asperger’s, a mild form of Autism where extraordinary artistic skills can be an identifying trait. Additionally, Rudy is an advocate for people with Asperger’s and has a newly released book about women affected with the syndrome.
Whatever the source of her musical gifts, she channels them to their fullest and is sure to heat up the house.
The video, above, was shot during a rehearsal with Jeff in the two Js’ San Francisco studio/living room.
Photos by Miss Jo
2 Comments
Oh, Miss Jo, we just love your site! Thanks for the great photos of Jeff and Miss Rudy. We sooooo have to meet her on our next trip to San Francisco. (And hear her sing!) Thanks for always sharing some of the splendor of your great city with the rest of us. Look forward to listening to Jeff jazz soon.
Good Morning Heartache is one of my favorite of the old standards. Shake, rattle and roll!