This spring, Symphony Space at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street was the place to be to see the lovely Eisa Davis and her band perform songs from her album Something Else. Eisa Davis’ charisma and charming personality were evident as she joked with the audience between songs. With Davis’ vocals and piano playing, along with a band including guitarist/keyboard player Jon Spurney, violinist Charles Burnham, Keith Witty on the bass and cello, and Chris Eddleton hitting the drums, the show was a hit.

Guest vocalists Rebecca Naomi Jones and Kelly McCreary joined Davis later in the show to help preview Flowers Are Sleeping, an upcoming music theater piece inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. Because of the soul in their voices and instruments, the setting, a small, intimate space, many people in the audience, including myself, found themselves lost in the music and dancing in their seats. I especially loved how Eddleton would sweep the drums ever so lightly in a way I’ve never seen before.

Eisa Davis allowed herself to be transparent to the audience and all the songs performed from Something Else seemed to be inspired by love. Davis even performed a song she said she wrote at age 13 about a boy she liked, named Juan, aptly named “Juan Song.” The preview of Flowers Are Sleeping gave something to look forward to when the full-length work receives its world premiere on April 13, 2013 at Symphony Space.