"I Found a New Baby," led by the slick, muted trumpet of Brian Casserly and fueled by Miss Jubilee's ukelele, kept the tradition alive while adding hints of modern (brighter) elements to the old classic. Dan Conner's drums pushed the groove ahead without allowing it to jump the tracks, and Casserly showed off a bit, playing solo trumpet with just one hand.
Like Bonnie and Clyde scaling a jail wall, Miss Jubilee's vocals seemed to slink up the ivy, the flower pinned atop her head swayed in the sun as she sang and bopped with the music.
Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers conjure an era of music and feeling without simply re-creating or subverting that period, a method as impressive as it is nuanced, a thing of beauty that embraces music education as much as it does good tunes and good times. Just like any landmark -- the old church they performed in, for instance -- Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers are a St. Louis institution not to be missed.
Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers perform at Thursdays at the Intersection, presented by KDHX, Grand Center and PNC Arts Alive, on July 26, 2012.
Video: Jarred Gastreich for Show Me Shows
Sound: Ryan Albritton for R&R Music Labs
Writer: Will Kyle