Thu 12/12 @ 8PM
Tracey Thomas, the hot little new wave chick who fronted Akron’s Unit 5 way back in the ’80s, has grown up with a vengeance. Then she released a series of solo albums that demonstrated that she’d gained in depth and nuance while losing none of her ability to put across a song, and she returned to performing after a break, encouraged by Akron singer-songwriter dynamo Ryan Humbert.
She’s also continued to challenge herself, most recently with a show with the Tracey Thomas Jazz Quartet devoted to the music of Billie Holiday called Fine & Mellow. She performed it at the Akron Civic Theatre in June. She enjoyed it so much — and apparently so did the audience — that she’s doing an encore performance at Jilly’s Music Room in downtown Akron.
It’s a free performance, and before she goes on at 8, the tireless Humbert will play a set of happy hour music at 6.
By the way, the recently opened Jilly’s is a new venue in an old spot — formerly occupied by the Northside. Its booking policy is more eclectic, with primarily original artists, including singer-songwriters, roots rockers, and blues acts.
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