JUDY WEXLER

54 BELOW / APRIL 28

Vocalist Judy Wexler makes a rare 54 Below appearance, bringing her narrative-rich approach to a room better known for Broadway but increasingly hospitable to jazz. Wexler’s repertoire typically blends reimagined standards, smartly chosen songbook obscurities, and contemporary tunes that lend themselves to jazz phrasing. Judy’s delivery favors clarity, direct emotional connection, and a storyteller’s sense of pacing over overt vocal display. With a seasoned band attuned to her subtle rubato and rhythmic inflections, she can stretch phrases, delay cadences, and lean into consonants without losing the underlying swing. At 54 Below, Wexler’s club-honed instincts meet a cabaret-style setting, inviting more theatrical framing and curated set arcs. The result is less a typical club hit-and-run and more an intimate song cycle, where each selection illuminates a different angle of Judy’s interpretive personality and her deep feel for lyric-driven jazz singing. JZZ