The Porgy & Bess Project

Whether doing battle with the percussionists upstairs or playfully dueting with an adorably awkward saxophonist, Mama Alto (a creation of performer Benny Dimas) holds the stage with a supreme dignity and motherly warmth that creates instant audience attraction. The Porgy & Bess Project sees Mama Alto united with pianist Tiffanni Walton, engaging with a set of their own jazz influenced arrangements of songs from the popular folk opera by George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. The pair create a formidable musical duo, complete with interjections from Mama Alto about how each song was put together and why they are so special to him. Walton provides dynamic underscoring to the wistful and emotive vocals and keeps the performance anchored down. Dimas's voice has the capacity to be constantly surprising as he works his finely honed upper registers through all manner of tones. From an ethereal whisper to a full-bodied bellow, each crescendo feels organic thanks to his restraint and discipline, he never becomes gratuitous with his powerful vibrato. Both performers approach their roles with a heartfelt passion that is easily communicated by the involuntary twitches playing across Dimas's often serene face, and the smiles breaking through Walton's intense concentration. By its own admission, this is a celebration of individuality and it yields a joyous and poignant journey through some important and enduring material.

Running at The Butterfly Club until Sunday 30 September