Sylvia Tosun at the Cutting Room

By Robert Abrams
February 27, 2003

Sylvia Tosun was a radiant presence tonight at the Cutting Room, an intimate club in New York City. Sylvia filled this small space with a rich vibrant sound that felt boundless. The audience came to this show for the music (Jenny Bruce and Karen Jacobsen also gave excellent performances), so they probably weren't expecting a dance performance, but Sylvia gave them one anyway. She started out her set with small, subtle movements while standing at the microphone. Her movement and her sound fit together in a decorously sensual way. There was no immediately identifiable dance idiom to her movements, but I wasn't expecting one. Several songs into her set she launched into a very energetic number, ably accompanied by piano, drums and bass. Her movements grew larger, expressing a belly dance inspired, slightly flamenco tinged mood.

Seeing her move writ large, I could then see the root of her subtler movements clearly. Like her music, her movements have a stylistic consistency from the smallest shrug of her shoulders to the full out pulse of her whole body from her fingertips to her feet.

Her dancing was rather compelling, to the point where I wanted her to clear away all of the music stands on the stage and just dance. Of course, this would mean that she wouldn't be singing, so it is a dilemma - kind of like having two equally attractive pieces of cake on either side of the room and being forced to choose just one.

Sylvia has a new CD out entitled "Too Close to the Sun" which has an enjoyable mix of quiet and energetic songs. Whether live in concert or recorded, Sylvia Tosun is worth a second listen.

For more information, go to www.sylviatosun.com.

The Cutting Room
19 West 24th Street
(Broadway and 6th)
New York NY
212-691-1900

This show was hosted by Adoptaband.com.