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Brooklyn-based jazz project Love, BB has officially arrived with the release of its debut single, “Solitaire,” alongside a striking new music video that blurs the line between classic jazz nostalgia and contemporary storytelling.
The project, created by vocalist Brooke Backman in collaboration with songwriter and producer Michael Leviton, describes itself as “a band from the past.” Rather than recreating vintage jazz standards, Love, BB aims to craft entirely original songs that feel timeless — as though they could have existed decades ago in a smoky nightclub or late-night cabaret.
“Solitaire” serves as the perfect introduction to the project’s cinematic aesthetic. Built around a smoky, minor-key arrangement and emotionally sharp lyricism, the track channels the spirit of classic torch songs while remaining deeply personal.
According to Leviton, the song emerged after the end of a long-term relationship that lasted throughout his twenties. He described it as part of a larger series of “singles about being single,” using the metaphor of the card game to explore loneliness, independence, and reinvention.
The authenticity of the song extends into the recording process itself. The forthcoming Love, BB album was recorded live to tape using complete, unedited performances, allowing the musicians to build each arrangement organically in real time. The result is a warm and immediate sound that embraces imperfections and human performance over modern studio polish.
Directed by Leviton, the music video for “Solitaire” expands the mythology surrounding Love, BB. Filmed inside Leviton’s apartment, transformed into a shadowy jazz lounge, the visual takes inspiration from classic noir cinema — particularly the 1944 film Phantom Lady.
The video stars dancer Kitty Verte and features styling by legendary hair and makeup artist Mike Potter, best known for helping shape the iconic aesthetic of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Together, the collaborators create a visual world that feels theatrical, glamorous, and intentionally suspended between eras.
Love, BB “Solitaire” single artwork
At the center of it all is Backman, who jokingly describes herself as “a jazz singer from Brooklyn in the past chasing a life of showbiz.” That blend of fiction, performance art, and genuine musical passion gives Love, BB its unique identity.
While many contemporary releases lean heavily on digital perfection, Love, BB embraces texture, spontaneity, and old-school musicianship. The project’s handwritten aesthetics, live instrumentation, and immersive storytelling make it feel less like a traditional revival act and more like an alternate timeline intersecting with the present.
With “Solitaire,” Love, BB introduces a compelling new artistic world — one rooted in jazz history while still feeling unmistakably modern.
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