I was one of a handful of people on hand at the Slice, Monday, July 10, to see New Orleans based Chicago born pianist/ vocalist Stephanie Nilles.

 Apparently she played South Country Fair a couple years ago, much to the delight of a table full of fans, trying to peg where they had seen her before.

 Nilles was in a mellow mood, playing plenty of mellow  jazz and blues, but let loose her fleet fingered piano chops on a couple of songs especially on a frenetic number combining catchy barrelhouse piano with a touch of rap.

But usually she sang in her appealing hippyish, jazzy, voice which combined elements of classic blues like Etta James with more ’90s influences like Tori Amos and Fiona Apple with just a touch of Janis Joplin.