Pamela Luss & Houston Person Perform At The Met Room Tonight

Singer Pamela Luss -- with her frequent collaborator, the noted saxophonist Houston Person -- kicks off a monthly series, "Just the Two of Us and Friends," at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, on Saturday January 21 at 7pm. A duo since 2007, Luss and Person perform songs from the American Songbook, and of a more recent vintage from the 60's to the present. Christopher Loudon of Jazz Times has called them "an exalted partnership, meshing like the jeweled movement of a Patek Philippe."

The once-monthly series of Saturday shows at 7pm, will vary from month-to-month. Each will have its own topic or theme. The January 21 show is subtitled "All About Love."

Luss, who likes to explore a spectrum of music styles as jazz -- everything from swing and blues, to stage and movie musicals, Brazilian bossa nova and pop -- says she performs all this wide-ranging material with a special attention to the lyrics. "The interpretation of the lyrics, and telling the story through song is essential to us in our presentation," she says.

Person has worked with a number of distinguished jazz vocalists over the years, notably Etta Jones. He too is particularly interested in story and interpretation, as he is known to vocalize and trade stories with Luss on the tenor saxophone. Elizabeth Ahlfors, writing in Cabaret Scenes, called their collaboration "a mutual admiration society."

This is Luss's third Metropolitan Room engagement. Houston and Pamela appeared with her all-star band in November 2010 for three evenings. The two have collaborated on two albums – "Sweet and Saxy" and "Bewitched (TV Series Theme Song) & Witchcraft" – both produced by Person. Luss has released four albums on Savant/High Note Records.

"Just the Two of Us and Friends" begins its run on Saturday January 21. Eight shows are scheduled so far; all are Saturdays: January 21 at 7pm; March 3rd at 7pm; March 31 at 7pm; April 28 at 7pm; September 29 at 7pm; October 20 at 7pm; November 17 at 9:30pm; December 15 at 9:30pm The music charge is $20. For reservations call 212/206-0440. For more information or to order online visit www.metropolitanroom.com.