Story and photograph by Robert Lorimor
Alice remembers why she came to Bangkok 14 years ago. “Someone once told me, there is a room in Bangkok and it’s your room,” she says. She found that room, and now she has found another. It’s The Living Room jazz bar at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit.

Though she has not always performed at the Living Room throughout the years, she has become a part of the fabric of Bangkok. As a jazz lover, if you were not to hear her sing during your stay in Bangkok, it would be like coming to Thailand and failing to see the Grand Palace. She must be heard because of her alluring voice and not least because she is an essential part of the Bangkok music scene.

Over the years, Alice has come to think of Bangkok as her second home. She even sometimes goes out on to the river to catch a cool breeze. The hot weather in Bangkok reminds her of home in Miami, Florida. She grew up listening to gospel music and singing in the choir there and she cites gospel singer Mahalia Jackson as a major influence in her life. She remembers Jackson as the first person she loved to hear singing other than her mother. Other influences include Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington.

Recently, we got to listen to Alice at the Sheraton. She is a real entertainer and gives a candid performance often filled with surprises. Her first set was merely a warm-up as her voice becomes stronger and even more mesmerizing. The always-lovable Eldee Young joined her in singing later in the evening, playing the bass fiddle as he sings. Together, along with Taurey Butler and Shawn Kelley, they all make for an enjoyable evening of jazz.

Alice is performing at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit’s Living Room every evening from 9 pm expect Monday night until July 31.

This entry was posted Wednesday, July 20th, 2005 and was filed under Jungle News. RSS 2.0 feed. Trackbacks have been temporary removed.