René Marie: Valentine Swing

Invited to sing the national anthem at a Denver civic assembly, René Marie solemnly intoned the lyrics of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" to the familiar strains of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Colorado-based Virginian clearly remembers a time when jazz represented democracy in action, and she's doing her best to rekindle that spirit—which doesn't mean she won't show you and your date a romantic good time here.