Haley and Harry Connick Jr...

[Miguel]

Do I love watching Mayfield's change from skepticism to taking her seriously (as she met his "challenges" to amazement? Absolutely!

But frankly, do you really believe that if Casey had not made and then posted that recording online, that Mayfield would still have included them in his debut concert?

...those of you who don't recognize that, aren't quite looking at reality.

It's not my favorite Jazz performance by Haley, but I love the spontaneity of it. Like you, I believe Mayfield changed from being skeptical to being impressed. While Haley having some name recognition and a following may well have been a factor in him extending the invite, I don't believe he would have included Haley if he thought she wasn't up to it. His Carnegie Hall debut was the culmination of two years worth of effort by him.

The invite was made less than two months after the performance (11/08/11) and eleven months before the event. In February of 2012, he gave a Haley fan tickets to an event in her local area and they hung out a bit. She later tweeted:

Fe Moya ‏ @glassperfection
@HaleysShindig ohh and Irvin's assistant said that the god bless recording is shit compared to what it was live he said you have no idea.

[Tusk]

My conjecture may only be conjecture, but until I know facts (that you're unwilling to share), my "conjecture" probably makes more sense than much of what we typically see.

whose sense? My 'sense" is Irvin recognized her vast potential, that she surprised his underestmation and decided he wanted to reward her by honoring her with an invite. If it also happens to introduce him to her fan base, all the better

In my shoes, you would probably believe in what you know than someone else's conjecture too....

Regardless, my point still is , Haley had more than enough chops to impress him resulting in the invite...a counter to NUG's friend's criticism, and not about conjecture to Mayfield's motivation for the invite

[My Alter Ego]

Fe Moya ‏ @glassperfection
@HaleysShindig ohh and Irvin's assistant said that the god bless recording is shit compared to what it was live he said you have no idea.

I don't doubt that for a second! I mean, the rest of us are lucky that Casey made that "phone" recording and posted it.

Despite how uncomfortable I am with her pronunciation of "chee -ild" at the beginning, how the performance progressed is mind blowing. In truth (and, unfortunately, in retrospect,) I'd probably sell my soul to have been in that club that night.

[NUG]

Fe Moya ‏ @glassperfection
@HaleysShindig ohh and Irvin's assistant said that the god bless recording is shit compared to what it was live he said you have no idea.

I don't doubt that for a second! I mean, the rest of us are lucky that Casey made that "phone" recording and posted it.

Despite how uncomfortable I am with her pronunciation of "chee -ild" at the beginning, how the performance progressed is mind blowing. In truth (and, unfortunately, in retrospect,) I'd probably sell my soul to have been in that club that night.

Me too.. that has been my favorite performance since the day I saw it. I am not a huge fan of the child pronunciation either, but the whole thing is just one of a kind. The only thing I'd change is to cut off the last 20-30 seconds of trumpet solo.

[mercfan3]

I think it's odd that someone would think Irvin Mayfield would feel the need to use Haley as a tool.

I love Haley. I, honest to God, think she has the best voice I have ever heard. But she's a third place finisher on a reality show who was probably in the process of being dropped by the time this concert came around. He's a grammy winner. He certainly didn't need to use her as a tool.

What simply happened was she impressed him. Because that performance is incredible. IMO, It's Haley's best.

And I also find it strange that a Jazz fan would find Haley's "tricks" (the growls, scatting, different way of saying the words..) unwanted. I can see it with a fan of classical music, or a fan of country music. But Jazz?

That's not to say that I don't think Haley has areas of improvement. But personally, I think they come with her performance style rather than her singing.

And, as my best friend also can't stand Haley's voice, I've also learned you just have to let it go. I don't quite understand it, because to me...her voice is simply incredible, and the more I listen too it, the more in awe I become. But she has a distinctive voice, a distinctive tone, and distinctive way of singing. And people who prefer people to sing "the right way" or who aren't so fond of "different" are not likely to be a fan of Haley's voice. It's really just a preference of vocal tone.

[Tusk]

I love Haley. I, honest to God think she has the best voice I have ever heard.

I don't think you've ever mentioned having seen Haley live, if not, I hope you do... it's even greater than you already imagine

[mercfan3]

No, I haven't had that opportunity. (YET!!)

I live off of the youtube videos you and others post.

[Tusk]

No, I haven't had that opportunity. (YET!!)

I live off of the youtube videos you and others post.

Something to look forward to, then, and we expect the full report/review

[buzzenator]

I think it's odd that someone would think Irvin Mayfield would feel the need to use Haley as a tool.

I love Haley. I, honest to God, think she has the best voice I have ever heard. But she's a third place finisher on a reality show who was probably in the process of being dropped by the time this concert came around. He's a grammy winner. He certainly didn't need to use her as a tool.

What simply happened was she impressed him. Because that performance is incredible. IMO, It's Haley's best.

And I also find it strange that a Jazz fan would find Haley's "tricks" (the growls, scatting, different way of saying the words..) unwanted. I can see it with a fan of classical music, or a fan of country music. But Jazz?

That's not to say that I don't think Haley has areas of improvement. But personally, I think they come with her performance style rather than her singing.

And, as my best friend also can't stand Haley's voice, I've also learned you just have to let it go. I don't quite understand it, because to me...her voice is simply incredible, and the more I listen too it, the more in awe I become. But she has a distinctive voice, a distinctive tone, and distinctive way of singing. And people who prefer people to sing "the right way" or who aren't so fond of "different" are not likely to be a fan of Haley's voice. It's really just a preference of vocal tone.

Merc...outstanding post! You really nailed it! I second and third those comments...again, perfect synopsis!

[NUG]

...And I also find it strange that a Jazz fan would find Haley's "tricks" (the growls, scatting, different way of saying the words..) unwanted. I can see it with a fan of classical music, or a fan of country music. But Jazz?

...And, as my best friend also can't stand Haley's voice, I've also learned you just have to let it go. I don't quite understand it, because to me...her voice is simply incredible, and the more I listen too it, the more in awe I become. But she has a distinctive voice, a distinctive tone, and distinctive way of singing. And people who prefer people to sing "the right way" or who aren't so fond of "different" are not likely to be a fan of Haley's voice. It's really just a preference of vocal tone.

I will say my Jazz friend is/was a singer who feels she could have "made it" and perhaps felt a sting that I am so enamoured of another jazz singer..even though she's never sung in front of me, lol. Perhaps a bit of jealousy. She also adores (all types of) singers with perfect, pure voices who "sing the right way" like you said above, ala Josh Groban types.