Free at Last / What Next?

[Miguel]

This was a jazz-centric weekend for Haley. They performed a set of Jazz standards and jazzed up some of the songs on Haley's album.

Chiara tweeted that Day 2 was a "success." That almost makes it sound like an experiment. Keith and Courtney had studied YouTube videos to prepare for the event.

What's the end game?

We know they're heading to NY next.

There are several Jazz labels located in NY.

Is Haley looking to sign with one?

Are they going to fly there from Vegas? Or return to LA first?

Keith had said they were going to NY "right after" Vegas.

But Haley and Chiara drove down. Interestingly enough, so did a lawyer from the law firm that handles Haley's business -- in a separate car though with a friend.

---

Two more things

1) When Haley put together her band she chose people with Jazz backgrounds

2) When Haley was competing on Idol, an article titled "Haley Reinhart eager to jazz it up some more on ‘American Idol’" appeared in the Chicago Sun Times on March 13. In it she said:

“I want to touch on a lot of different genres,” she says. “I want to be different and unique and authentic, keep my own stuff and do different styles of music. I haven’t done anything really jazzy yet, and that’s where my voice really falls into place, I feel.”

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/te...grind.html

[midnightblues]

One tast of my Jazz chops will erace all your visions of me as a pop singer. IMO if she did a Jazz/blues album she could do well,She has the hook

[john]

While I can't pretend to know what's in store for Haley I love what I saw and heard this weekend. She was very comfortable and confident on stage. She was really belting it at times and was losing herself in the music (perhaps finding herself in the music). She easily connected the Courtney and Keith, and they with her.

With the separation from Interscope Haley seems to have freed herself from constraints that were required on American Idol and then imposed by the album release and Interscope contract. Then this weekend she just blossomed.

In the past two years Haley has gone through an intense course of study. First with the Idol "star boot camp" and then with the experience of writing, recording, and promoting an album. But this weekend was about music and singing and performing on her own terms. And it all came together. She was able to get back to her roots while incorporating what she has been learning. She got that magic going. I also think Haley showed a new maturity and professionalism as an artist and performer.

That "Epic, epic, epic" tweet by Keith gave me a little rush when I first saw it on the twitter feed. He was blown away. He didn't fully know before and now he does know. And I got reminded. Haley is a total badass.

[Tusk]

A Total badass

Last Night (Friday) watching Haley and Keith's synergy, especially the way Haley admiringly watched Keith do his thing on his keyboard, I leaned over to Yanni and supposed that we may see an album with Haley and Keith before we see one with Haley and Casey.

Casey is a very talented musician, and he definitely shares a musical rapport with Haley, but in many ways, Casey's style is somewhat ....how do I say this....'manic'? compared to what Keith brings to the table.

When Haley slips up, she eases it into her performance seemlessly, all part of the show. When Casey slips up, you think "oops he slipped up".... It sometimes could be construed as unpreparedness.

I still think back to Himm2's video of Haley and Casey last year as they were performing "All My Lovin'" and Casey completely messing up the lyrics of one of the Beatles' iconic songs. I loved the performance and song, but....seriously....ouch! (speaking as a Die hard fan of the Liverpool Lads)

The vibe/synergy is completely different between Haley and Keith, and Haley and Casey, seemingly from the beginning.

I was one that was vocally PO'd when I learned Neara was let go....UNTIL I saw Keith perform in Spokane. I still listen to their performance of NTYH, from Spokane to this day. After that, I never thought again about who should be playing keyboard for Haley. IMO Keith is an exceptional and incredible find. I love what he does on the keyboard, it's so easy and smooth...

I love Casey, and believe he has improved by leaps and bounds through his touring and recording experiences, but it's just different and seemingly more pure when I hear Haley and Keith perform together.

[Himm2]

...agreed Tusk. I enjoy Casey Abrams entertainment but it isn't on the elite level that Haley & Keith are. But I've never heard Keith sing or write music or joke around and play multiple instruments, so maybe I'm talking myself out of this comment because Casey does bring a fun factor to the stage with Haley. Guess it's not an apples to apples comparison. Keith provides an exhuberence that Haley & her audience feeds off of. It's very different from what Casey brings to the table.

The Haley I fell in love with is not the highly refined strictly Jazz no-nonsense professional. The Chandelier Room is a major statement for Haley's increasing star power but I selfishly hope the intimate fun-loving retro, sultry, soul, bluesy classic rock-pop genres don't get discarded in the pedestal-climbing road. I know the 3 sets included all that I admire about the Haley Team so I don't think she'll be focusing on a one-dimensional approach from here on out...even if the people that tried to control Haley thinks she should (Like Randy Jackson & Jimmy Iovine)

[Jastal]

I think the jazzy vegas performances may be a huge step in Haley's career growth. I have loved everything I have read and watched. That said, I don't want jazzy-Haley to take over. What drew my to Haley is her versatility with blues, rock and even pop. I do want jazzy-Haley to influence her songs, but I love, love, love the variety. It may take her longer to find that mass core audience, but it will be worth it and will last a lifetime (IMO).

[Miguel]

There is also the possibility that Haley created a Jazz experience this weekend out of necessity. That, faced with having to perform three full sets, she chose Jazz to fill out the night. If so, she might have been influenced by her experience at the W in Hollywood, where they perform jazz/blues in The Living Room on Sunday nights.

[kaypea]

While I can't pretend to know what's in store for Haley I love what I saw and heard this weekend. She was very comfortable and confident on stage. She was really belting it at times and was losing herself in the music (perhaps finding herself in the music). She easily connected the Courtney and Keith, and they with her.

With the separation from Interscope Haley seems to have freed herself from constraints that were required on American Idol and then imposed by the album release and Interscope contract. Then this weekend she just blossomed.

In the past two years Haley has gone through an intense course of study. First with the Idol "star boot camp" and then with the experience of writing, recording, and promoting an album. But this weekend was about music and singing and performing on her own terms. And it all came together. She was able to get back to her roots while incorporating what she has been learning. She got that magic going. I also think Haley showed a new maturity and professionalism as an artist and performer.

That "Epic, epic, epic" tweet by Keith gave me a little rush when I first saw it on the twitter feed. He was blown away. He didn't fully know before and now he does know. And I got reminded. Haley is a total badass.

Well said.I couldn't pretend to know either what might be next.And given her versatility I couldn't begin to predict which direction it might but I have to believe that someone out there in the industry realizes that she is a badass.

Whatever happens I just hope she can stay as busy as possible playing out because she really needs that and it goes without saying-so do her fans.Keith's tweet kind of says it all-by the third night he's seeing how good it can get when everything clicks.

[Merlin]

I think the jazzy vegas performances may be a huge step in Haley's career growth. I have loved everything I have read and watched. That said, I don't want jazzy-Haley to take over. What drew my to Haley is her versatility with blues, rock and even pop. I do want jazzy-Haley to influence her songs, but I love, love, love the variety. It may take her longer to find that mass core audience, but it will be worth it and will last a lifetime (IMO).

I completely agree with this. The jazz is amazing, but so are the blues and the rock. Her versatility is what makes her great and is what captivated so many different people. I don't want her to just choose one musical direction (jazz) and stick to it. I want her to embrace all of it. Of course, beggars can't be choosers (and I'm most definitely a beggar when it comes to Haley's music career) but I'd prefer that she do a little bit of everything.

There's also the commercial factor to consider, and straight up jazz typically doesn't sell well outside of its niche these days. The extra jazz we're getting is fine, great even! I just hope it doesn't completely take over.

[Babbs234]

I think the jazzy vegas performances may be a huge step in Haley's career growth. I have loved everything I have read and watched. That said, I don't want jazzy-Haley to take over. What drew my to Haley is her versatility with blues, rock and even pop. I do want jazzy-Haley to influence her songs, but I love, love, love the variety. It may take her longer to find that mass core audience, but it will be worth it and will last a lifetime (IMO).

I completely agree with this. The jazz is amazing, but so are the blues and the rock. Her versatility is what makes her great and is what captivated so many different people. I don't want her to just choose one musical direction (jazz) and stick to it. I want her to embrace all of it. Of course, beggars can't be choosers (and I'm most definitely a beggar when it comes to Haley's music career) but I'd prefer that she do a little bit of everything.

There's also the commercial factor to consider, and straight up jazz typically doesn't sell well outside of its niche these days. The extra jazz we're getting is fine, great even! I just hope it doesn't completely take over.

I agree with what everyone is saying. I love the jazz, I love the rock, I love the blues, I love it all! This is what makes Haley, Haley. And it is sooo cool!