Four Ladies are Jazz’s Answer to Female Singularity

The Lascivious Biddies, an all female cocktail pop quartet based in New York City, are making headlines for having an energetic and tightly woven live show, full of humor, expert musicianship, and a dash of sentimentality.

This irrepressible foursome is Saskia Lane on bass, Ila Cantor on guitar, Lee Ann Westover on lead vocal, and Deidre Rodman on piano and melodica. Their show titled, An Evening of Cocktail Pop,” includes music by Rogers and Hart, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen as well as original songs by the members of the quartet.

Blending jazz, pop, and cabaret with four-part harmonies, The Lascivious Biddies have carried their fresh, genre-defying sound from coast to coast including performances at The Kennedy Center, Birdland, and numerous theaters across the country. The Biddies and their music have been featured on The Food Network, The Discovery Channel, Fuse TV, a national TV commercial for Chili’s Restaurants, a segment on CBS Evening News, and have been heard nationally on NPR, dozens of local radio stations across America, and internationally on the BBC.

At SXSW 2005 The Biddies made a splash with the media and fans alike. “If the Donnas are rock’s answer to girl power, then the Lascivious Biddies are jazz’s answer to female singularity,” wrote the Austin American-Statesman.

The Washington Post calls them “Manhattan’s Hippest Girl Group.” According to Time Out New York, The Biddies’ second album, “Get Lucky,” overflows with “angelic vocal harmonies, wordy humor, jazz chops and pop moxie.”

CBS Evening News confirms: “The Lascivious Biddies could teach us all a thing or two.”

The Lascivious Biddies balance infectious spunk with impressive skill. The group includes a multi-linguist, a Juilliard grad, a published author, and a circus performer. On their collective resumé, The Biddies have shared the stage with luminaries such as Elvis Costello, Debbie Harry, and The Jazz Passengers. Their discography includes critically acclaimed recordings on Eastway Records and a concert DVD, “Live in New York City.”

Tickets for both shows are on sale at the ABT Ticket Office, Rimrock Mall and on-line at albertabairtheater.org or by calling (406) 256-6052. Capitol Steps: $33 and $28; Lascivious Biddies: $28 and $23.