Bassist and vocalist Katie Thiroux is doing two things at once when she performs. Bass players tend to focus on being unobtrusive while remaining solid and foundational. To hold that role down while singing is a tricky feat. Thiroux, who grew up in Los Angeles in a musical family, does it with impressive poise and agility. Her vocal phrasing is cool and mellow. She brings a bass player’s temperament to her singing.
Her 2017 album “Off Beat” is not exactly offbeat, really. Instead, it has a late-night, dim-and-smoky-club feel. Her version of Peggy Lee’s “Some Cats Know” is nicely sultry, stressing the romantic charms of slowness and finesse. As a vocalist, Thiroux can sing with control and swing of Anita O’Day. Her band’s take on the Duke Ellington gem “Happy Reunion” is lovely, with just the right magenta haze.
There’s nothing rushed or frantic about Thiroux’s music. See the Katie Thiroux Trio at The Side Door, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme, on Nov. 23 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. 860-434-0886 or thesidedoorjazz.com