Hobart’s Guest Offers Variety

Cheryl Hodge, a young singer/pianist from Boston by way of Nelson, British Columbia, will perform tonight and Saturday at Hobart’s Jazz Lounge.

Hodge will offer treats for everyone who loves smoky, atmospheric jazz vocals and a tight little combo.

A former student and instructor of voice at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Hodge now teaches at Selkirk College in Nelson, a school with an aggressive jazz program.

Although Hodge has recorded a fine CD of her own, “Tonight I’m Wearing Basic Black,” she’s best-known for her background vocals on “Lost Souls,” the debut album of the highly acclaimed rock group, the Raindogs.

“Tonight I’m Wearing Basic Black” finds Hodge in excellent voice, singing a batch of strong originals along with such standards as “It Might As Well Be Spring” and “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most.”

But perhaps her best peformance is on Stanley Turrentine’s boppy “Sugar,” which features a controlled, dynamic chorus of scat singing. Perhaps she’ll be persuaded to duplicate it this weekend.

Hodge will be backed tonight and Saturday by fellow instructors Cliff Maddox, guitar, Mark Spielman, bass, and Steve Parrish, drums.

Cover is $3 and music starts at 9.