Standing shy of five feet, veteran jazz singer Jimmy Scott oozed charisma during his towering performance at a packed Vicar Street on Saturday. His is a curiously androgynous voice - somewhere between that of an angel and a straining diva.

What was most commanding was the 74-year-old's ability to make each cover or standard he performed seem like he penned each word himself. Completely overwhelmed by every lyric that passed his lips, his determined body language tried to convince us that he genuinely meant what he sang.

Accompanied with great flair by a three-piece outfit, The Jazz Expressions, Scott began the night with some classic standards - a rollicking version of All Of Me and a bassline-driven Pennies From Heaven. But the delicate minimalism of Michael Kanan's piano and Hilliard Greene's bass helped Scott's unique voice to shine on the touching ballads All The Way and What I Wouldn't Give. Scott's remarkable generosity and humbling presence made his performance even more irresistible. After singing he walked downstage right where he encouraged the crowd during the band's driving solos - like a father showing off his three talented boys. During the second half, Scott's heart-wrenching Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child started subtly but powerfully. Scott rode a sombre bassline and haunting piano to an aching climax. The mood changed to jocularity once again with Don't Cry Baby and I Cried For You, during the first encore. A lengthy standing ovation returned Scott to perform Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. An emotional and unforgettable night from a legendary performer.