Michelle LeBlanc Performs at Mt. Kisco Library

Almost every seat was taken for I Could Write a Book, a jazz performance by the Michelle LeBlanc Quintet Saturday as part of the Mount Kisco Public Library's Coffee House Music Series. The performance was part of Jazz: The American Story, a series of shows created by Michelle LeBlanc that chronicles and celebrates the history of our country through jazz.

The audience members ranged in age from toddlers to seniors, who all tapped their feet and swayed in rhythm with the catchy, atmospheric music. Songs were familiar and pleasant, giving each band member the opportunity to showcase their talents. The audience was knowledgeable, and acknowledged the individual musicians with enthusiastic applause following each solo.

According to LeBlanc, it continues to be a pleasure playing with the best jazz musicians in the area. She is backed by pianist Tom Kohl, who seemed to be directing much of the action on-stage, cueing the other musicians to begin their solos. String bass player Bill Crow, sax player Ed Xiques and drummer Ron Vincent rounded out the talented group.

While LeBlanc had played three times in the old Mount Kisco library, this was the first time in the new auditorium. "We're thrilled to be part of the new scene," she exclaimed.

After watching a young girl in the front row hopping in her seat to the beat of the music, I asked her mother about the child: "she loves all music, especially live music," Maria Campbell of Golden's Bridge explained. "We try to come to lots of these shows so I can expose her to all types of music."

LeBlanc offered brief explanations in between many of the songs. Her interest in the history of jazz is apparent, and her knowledge is contagious. Each show features popular jazz classics from Ella Fitzgerald or Cole Porter or Miles Davis, among many, many others, and describes how each song helps tell a story of that period of time. But mainly LeBlanc lets the music speak for itself, and conveys emotion through the subtleties of each number performed by the quintet.