Hi Clairdee,

I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I enjoyed your performance at the VMWorld 2007 event. I was 3,000 miles from home and having an awful week on many levels. You completely turned it around for me! Between your gorgeous vocals, your souful/playful interpretations—and the smoking-hot quartet that Ken put together, I was transported to a completely different place. I realize that this was probably your most ridiculous gig of the year, with Smashmouth melting the girders about 300 feet away (live at Yoshis this was not!)—but that was all filtered out for me. I felt like I was completely getting what you were about and I was mesmerized.

As a lifelong Jazz fan and amateur player, it was wonderful for me to hear you backed up by a guitar player who plays exactly the way I would play if I were any good—a drummer with that great classic left hand fill capability that I love—a bass player that had me swinging right along with her—and Ken making it all come together (I'd love to hear you on a real piano, though!)

Your interpretations of Rio Degenaro Blue, Someone to Watch Over Me, and Summertime were so memorable. I've kicked myself that I didn't ask you to perform Save Your Love for Me. I like the Randy Crawford version, I love the N'dea Davenport version, but I know that your take on it would instantly be my favorite. Your available recordings are going to have a place of honor on my ipod.

All I have to say is: You cats can blow!!!

Your new fan,

Ken Taylor

P.S Come to Boston