A guitar often offers certain elegance when it’s employed in a jazz combo backing a vocalist. Songbird Sessions teams singer Robin Barnes with guitarists Steve Masakowski and Danny Abel. The opening notes stand as an example of that elegance. The tune on the five-cut EP is Van Morrison’s “The Way Young Lovers Do,” which begins quietly and gains a contrasting rhythm as bass player Pat Casey and drummer Herlin Riley jump in. Barnes, a New Orleans native, displays her vocal range, gets brash and then impressively goes up for some pure high notes.

George and Ira Gershwin’s standard “Little Jazz Bird” gets a similar treatment by starting out with just guitar and vocals before being lifted to a light and lovely flight. “Great Day” swings, then the beat fires up like that behind some old-time church testifying, with Shannon Powell’s tambourine emphasizing that spirit.

Another standard, “My Funny Valentine,” written by Rodgers and Hart back in 1937 and performed by numerous artists including trumpeter Miles Davis and vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, is given straight-up treatment. Barnes and her band show it respect with good performances.

The album ends in a bit funkier mood with Irma Thomas’ hit, the Allen Toussaint–composed classic “Ruler of My Heart.” Powell is back slammin’ the tambourine with Riley reinforcing the New Orleans rhythm.

Robin Barnes, who continually boasts increasing popularity, has the pipes to perform in any number of genres. A bit more adventurous song selection, perhaps some original material and a full album might be just the right step forward in her journey.