Last night’s show at the 606 Club marked the long-awaited launch of Seasons in Jazz, the latest release from Canadian-born singer-songwriter Sandra-Mae Lux. Known for her 2020 disco-infused debut Happily Ever Now, Lux’s newest project is a striking shift in style—a heartfelt homage to the Great American Songbook and the golden era of jazz songwriting.
Backed by an all-star rhythm section featuring Rob Barron (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass), and Sebastiaan de Krom (drums), Lux took the audience on a lyrical journey through the seasons, as tied to love—with the directive lyrics of “Love Me Tonight”—and loss, with the reflective, melancholy “When Autumn Calls”—and a bit of playful flirtation of “Are We Having Fun?”. Each song was introduced with an engaging backstory, using the comfortable vibe of 606 to feel like a cabaret theatre event as much as a jazz gig.
A welcome treat of the evening was when Lux picked up her tenor saxophone. Given her background as a jazz instrumentalist, it was a shame not to hear more of her playing—especially since the brief solo moments on “Love Me Tonight” and her nod to Diana Krall’s version of “Let’s Fall In Love” hinted at a rich musical voice waiting in the wings.
It’s clear that Lux and her lyricist partner, Alan Marriott, have studied the traditions of Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Many of the tunes felt like long-lost sisters to standards we already know and love—stylistically familiar, but with fresh emotional insight and a contemporary point of view. Lux’s voice was warm and expressive throughout, particularly compelling on torchy ballads and bossa-tinged numbers like “Perfect Weather”.
Rob Barron’s elegant piano work anchored the evening beautifully with subtle support and Gourlay and de Krom provided a tight, swinging foundation, responding intuitively to the dynamics of Lux’s storytelling. There was a sense of deep respect for the material that elevated the whole performance.
Seasons in Jazz is an ambitious and lovingly crafted album, and this live debut showcased its strengths with poise and heart. Lux proves herself not just a gifted vocalist, but a composer with a genuine feel for classic song form—a rare and welcome voice in the modern jazz landscape.
