Letters To The Editor

Banu Gibson performed well with symphony

We don’t argue with correspondent Don Adair’s appreciation of the Spokane Symphony’s performance during the Feb. 4 (Symphony) SuperPops concert, but he overdoes his “hometown booster” role when he writes that “the quality of the entertainment slips a notch” when Banu Gibson and her New Orleans Hot Jazz joined the orchestra after intermission.

And he’s certainly off-base when he questions Banu Gibson’s “energy”!

There are few vocalists who expend as much energy in so many delightful ways, yet she makes sure she keeps in character with each number that is performed.

Obviously “the large crowd” did not agree with Adair’s assessment of early peaking and leveling-off; rather, it shared our opinion that Banu’s performance built steadily toward a climactic close.

Even Mr. Adair (albeit reluctantly) had to acknowledge the positive response of the audience: “On the other hand, Banu and her group received prolonged applause from the large crowd, which she acknowledged with an upbeat encore rendition of `Dinah.”’

“Yes, upbeat,” as was the entire program!

Congratulations to the Spokane Symphony Society for its choice of guest star!

Not only is Banu an electrifying entertainer, but her wise and wellpaced selection of material allowed the symphony to show itself to advantage.

In particular, there was the engrossing rendition of “Smile,” in which Banu’s lyrical voice was accompanied by the sensitive violin of symphony concertmaster Kelly Farris.

Guest stars do not always integrate the “house band” into their own performances; for this, Banu Gibson also deserves recognition. Phil Franklin Sandpoint