Adams is most known for her style of jazz and blues. At Rhode Island’s Providence Bookstore Cafe, she has produced a weekly live music series, additionally peering up with top jazz vocalists from New York City and Maine. Her compelling voice is reminiscent of classic performers like Tina Turner or Bobby Darin.

As I arrived at the Blue Room In Pawtuxet Village for the show, I was struck by the bold white letters reading live music on the marquis. As I entered the decorated hallway, I was kindly greeted by a host dressed in formal attire who showed me the bar and lounge. I was seated at a cozy, white leather booth towards the back of the room. The miniature stage was lit up with L.E.D colors of neon pink and blue, engulfing the stage from all sides.The soft, white Christmas trees and green garland added a cozy appeal to the room. I felt as if I was in one of the town’s favorite pubs in a hallmark movie, a place to go when everyone is snowed in. The room was dimly lit, highlighting the ambience of the stage, each table was decorated with a small candle and soft overhanging fixtures at the bar.

Adams and Taylor were seated on the stage, and before they began, she thanked her audience for their time and support. She had such a stage presence and humor, the crowd couldn’t stop chuckling. When it was time for the music to start, Adams announced to the crowd “why don’t we start with the blues.” Adams had jokes to share like they were in the back of her pocket “sometimes I make up the words as I go along” and “if someone asks me to perform at their wedding and if there is a wedding planner I will say no because they are a pain and also then you have the mother in law to deal with.”

The intimate crowd positioned their chairs towards the stage and when she sang, the whole room was quiet, attentively listening.

The soft and light chords from the piano were soothing, almost as if I was in meditation. Adams’ voice was clear, deep, and poetic. As she held the microphone in one hand, she closed her eyes and swayed on the stool, bringing a light to the room with her smile. Adams switched between jazz and blues tunes, softly transitioning from one to the other. Adams’ eloquence and the feathery tone of her voice brought back memories as I reminisced on my own cabaret days back in high school.

Adams’ cover of “But Beautiful” by Nat King Cole spoke to me most of all. The song embellished on heartbreak and bittersweet romance. My favorite verse went “love is funny, or it’s sad, or it’s quiet, or it’s mad, it’s a good thing, or it’s bad, but beautiful, beautiful to take a chance, and if you fall, you fall, and I’m thinking I wouldn’t mind at all.”

Adam’s sang each song with a fiery passion, fully embracing the moment and placing herself in each lyric. Adams’ movements were particularly powerful. I recall her pretending to flick a tear off her cheek during her performance of “But Beautiful.” Taylor moved with each note, getting into the rhythm of the music.

Adams and Taylor did not need to put on a big show. Just through her voice and the piano, I was captivated. There were no distraction, just the stage. Their performance was so easy and casual. In between a song, she recognized someone in the audience and chatted with him in front of everyone. Adams would think of tunes off the top of her head and then would tell Taylor to play the specific cords. It was natural for them to flow with the music, because of the gift they share.