Someone said that they hoped that I did a review of CHaka Khan at the Pasadena Jazz Festival yesterday. I will because there was a Prince connection. Chaka actually hit the stage on time (relatively) and looked funky in a green and gold genie pants suit that made her ample hips look even more ample - which was all good with me. THe emarld huge set off a wonderful contrast to her bright auburn hair that flickered like flames when the wind from the electric fans blew it about. SHe was glorious.

As I had hoped, it was her jazz set and she was in top form. Her attitude was quite giddy - more than usual - and she cracked jokes throughout. Peabo Bryson was on before her and closed his show with "Aint Noboby" - a true sacralige to the anxious Chaka fans. She cracked on him for doing it and the crowd laughed. When she introduced "Reconsider" she told the story of how amazedshe was when she wrote a poem and Prince set it to music the very next day. SHe went on to tease Prince by saying, "Musically, Prince is no joke. But other than musically... I don't know". We all laughed but we all cheered at the mere mention of his name. As I was making one last move on this big legged sister I met during Peabo's set, the crowd began to grumble for her classic R&B stuff and she relented by closing with "Sweet Thing" - which she allowed her huge 9 year old grand daughter to mangle much to my discontent. Overall a great jazz performance from one of the last divas. If you ever hear about her coming to your town to do jazz, go see her...

...cause FACE said so!!!