Review: Rumer Willis Channels Smoky Chanteuses in Café Carlyle Debut

Actress/singer Rumer Willis returns to New York City with her spellbinding debut at Café Carlyle. Having previously wowed New York audiences as Roxie in Broadway's Chicago and at Feinstein's/54 Below, Willis' sultry instrument and chanteuse aura melds her youthful energy with the reverence for music that is associated with this historic venue.

Willis takes the stage with a warm and up-tempo rendition of "Maybe This Time" (John Kander, Fred Ebb), making lines like "All the odds are in my favor" sing true in a way they usually don't. With the tune she welcomes the audience to her show, which she describes as her thesis on love. Everyone is instantly in her corner, and rooting for her to win.

With her perfected smoky, jazz instrument she sings a lovely rendition of "A Sunday Kind of Love" (Barbara Belle, Anita Leonard, Stan Rhodes, Louis Prima) and chases it with a sexy "Sway" (Luis Demetrio, Pablo Beltran Ruiz). She utilizes a soft and pensive vocal for her charming interpretation of "Since I Fell For You" (Buddy Johnson), which also features a delightfully radiant piano solo from musical director James Sampliner.

With a splash of sass and magnetizing razzle dazzle she hold the audience enthralled with her version of "Perhaps" (Doris Day), making the most of her dusky, jazz instrument on the tune. Highlighting her ability to sound just like Amy Winehouse, Willis uses a bold and brilliant side of her instrument with touches of nasal timbre to captivate audiences with "You Know I'm No Good" (Amy Winehouse).

She balances the nasal and throaty aspects of her voice pristinely on her inspired spin on "Bloodshot Eyes" (Ruth Hall, Hank Penny). Then, she slows the evening down with a soulful, jazz version of "Criminal" (Fiona Apple). Both of these numbers feature piano solos from Sampliner; the first is vibrant and lively, and the second is frenetic and full of gusto.

With a full-bodied voice she brings "Age" (Lianne La Havas, Matt Hales), a decidedly cute song, to life. Yet, her show reaches its emotional apex with her vulnerable and soulful take on "If Love is a Red Dress (Hang Me in Rags)" (Maria McKee), which allows her room to showcase her powerful gospel belt. She follows this with a by-the-books version of "Class" (John Kander, Fred Ebb), a duet with her "domestic life partner" Tye Blue.

Closing her set, she leaves audiences with a softly crooned "God Bless the Child" (Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr.), showcasing her understanding and love of soulful jazz. Then, she reminds the audience "the first person you have to fall in love with is yourself. And, that's the hardest thing to do," before launching into a luminous recreation of "Take Me to Church" (Andrew Hozier-Byrne). Her encore is an emotionally raw and altogether gorgeous cover of "The Story" (Phil Hanseroth).

Her band, also making their Café Carlyle debuts, ensure Christopher Lloyd Bratten's arrangements are attractive tapestries for her voice to float over. Sampliner leads the band on piano. Danny Weller keeps the rhythm on bass. Dan Berkery adds emotion and wit on drums.

Interested audiences have two more opportunities to catch Willis' debut at Café Carlyle (35 East 76th Street, at Madison Avenue). She performs tonight, Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 8:45pm and 10:45pm. Reservations can be made by phone at 212.744.1600 or via Ticketweb. Also, be sure to follow Willis on Twitter and Instagram.

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