In the gloaming, the borderland between day and night, activity and peace, it was onto the BJC for a truly border-defying musical journey.

Coincidentally enough, we share in the birthday celebrations of a marvellous and truly diverse local performer, Sarah Collyer.

There was cake!

With a placid, yet sensational voice, this local mainstay has a soft and warm tone, but a presence and grand power when called for.

The soulful arrangements of many fine standards and her own original works were proudly less traditional in this performance, with the core of the show being a lighter and more open, progressive feel; more groove than mellowness and a core that blended and threaded many styles together.

The styling of the pieces and the quality of the musicianship was of high standard, and in the moments of freedom a very natural and attentive side of the group became apparent; a group that allows the sum of the parts to reflect a single function or component for a given time and allows the shape to change and suit the components’ movement.

The standards were very left-field; a bossa here, a tumbao there, some high funk for good measure, but also very respectful and really visceral in the variation from the normal, more smooth and placid versions.

A very strong presence to the vocals and good rapport made the show quite entertaining, on an interactive, more inviting level.

The lead and solo sections were highly driven and very deft, with a rather amazing group beside her during some very memorable pieces in which the flavour stayed in check, but varied wildly to suit the inclination of the players. Awesome.

Sarah Collyer performed at the Brisbane Jazz Club November 9.