Just last week two people in the audience asked me to accompany a “wonderful singer” friend of theirs. The song: Summertime. I had her sing the opening phrase to me off mic so I could get a feel for key and tempo. Then, off we went. She would have been GREAT, if she had
1) stayed on the key she picked,
2) held a constant tempo and
3) knew the lyrics.
In her defense, she was dressed nicely and (as Billy Crystal would say) looked
Mahhh-ve-lous.