Torching the place: California guest vocalist to appear with jazz sextet

Tara Linda’s musical path has led her from the basements of Austin’s punk rock scene to Americana, blues, Tex-Mex, and even 1930s Latin torch music.

On Thursday, that path leads to Barcelona Nights, 1203 E. Adams St., where the Texas-born vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer will perform a set with the Charles Hearn jazz sextet, Barcelona Nights’ house band and the backing group on Linda’s new album.

The music starts at 7 p.m. Linda, who now lives in Oakland, Calif., describes the two sides of her artistic persona as "Tortilla Western/Americana meets Tex-Mex" and "jazzy blues mixed with early Latin torch."

It’s the jazzy, bluesy, torchy side that will be on display tomorrow, a style that’s also the focus of her latest album, being mixed in a McAllen studio. "Torch songs" are sultry ballads, usually about broken hearts. Linda’s new record doesn’t have a name yet, though she’s kicking around "Torch & Sass." The songs include tangos, ballads, and "really nice swing," she said. Linda penned the music and lyrics, while Hearn handled the arrangements.

"I feel like I’m playing with some of best musicians I’ve ever worked with," she said.

The latest album is a departure for Linda, whose previous effort, 2010’s "Tortilla Western Serenade," was essentially a love letter to traditional musical forms such as conjunto, cumbia, huapango and ranchero.

An accomplished accordionist who also plays baritone ukulele, bass and percussion, Linda insists she’s not turning her back on roots music, though she is allowing her voice to be "the instrument" this time around. Linda cites among her influences legends such as Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Connie Francis, Edith Piaf and Sarah Vaughn.

"I’m switching gears a little bit on this album," she said. "This album is jazz. I’m real excited about Thursday night. It’s the first time I’m playing songs from the album. I haven’t even played them back home for anybody."

Daniel Lenz, owner of Barcelona Nights, said he’s honored to host Linda, though he credits his friend Hearn, whose band has been a regular at the Adams Street eatery’s Thursday jazz nights.

"Charles said ‘Hey, she’s going to be here. Let’s get her down her and kick things up a notch,’" Lenz said. "I think it’s something different. You don’t have to be a jazz lover to go out and enjoy this music."