ENTERTAINMENT NEWS       By Etienne Leroux

LESSON IN MUSIC AND VOICE QUALITY

Talent and original creativity don't fade away and disappear amid aggressive campaigns of commercialized and pumped products, said Maximillien de Lafayette in an article he wrote about Jazz singers in the New York Monthly Herald, this month. The article came in the form of a tribute to talented performers who have made their mark on the music scene. Although, few of them recorded their own songs or compositions, their interpretation of Jazz standards was unique and worth noticing. Via a series of interviews with stars such as Carol Sloan, Hilary Kole, Patti Wicks, Mercedes Hall and Marlene Verplanck, de Lafayette's message came loud and clear: A great talent is not restrained by an era, defined by market needs and an incomprehensible appetite  for novelties. Carol Sloane, a well respected Jazz singer said: "I come to the stage without theatrics, just as any of the jazz singers of past generations did." Sloane's  wise words should be blown up wide open before the eyes of Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and alike.

Carol Sloane (left), one of the leading Jazz singers in New York City,  said "I'm not in the Top Ten on the charts, and possibly might never be.  But, those who know my work also know I'm unpretentious and I'm worth the price of admission.

Waves of super stars nowadays, cash on their theatrics and loudness.  Louder is better, is the motto of highly successful bands and Rock stars. Sloane does not agree. When Lafayette asked her, what are the virtues of a real singer? Sloane answered "Clarity of pitch and an impeccable sense of time (ability to swing even if singing a capella), best possible song selections, a sense of humor, and an eagerness to sing with the fine musicians sharing the stage." Marlene VerPlanck who has 20 solo albums to her credits,  seems to agree. She said "I try to tell the story. Any great lyric and song will force you to "act" it out naturally." Asked what are the virtues of a real singer? VerPlanck replied "Trying constantly to get it right.  It is an elusive thing, the voice.  It's not like putting your violin in an air conditioned closet.  The voice must be well tuned and warmed up before a performance.  You owe that much to your audience.  As for me, I cannot practice enough.  The better you know your material the more at ease you will seem on stage.  Hardest thing of all is to make it look easy. "

 

Marlene VerPlanck (left):" I think I have been successful,  in my field because I have worked hard at keeping up a standard.  Fame only comes to the chosen few."

When asked "What does success mean to you?  VerPlanck responded: "To still be working successfully in music, no matter how bit or small the job is, after all these years is a success.  I am most grateful for this."

On establishing a performer's own identity and style, Patti Wicks (left), an accomplished pianist and highly regarded Jazz singer said "I believe everyone has their own individual style. What is most important is to find it, sing your own song, rather than just be a carbon copy of someone else.  Be true to your music.  Recognizing my strong points as a singer and pianist, which came through years of doing the music, learning from the jazz greats who came before me, finding and choosing material that  best suited my approach to a song--all of these steps were crucial part of being able to successfully express the music as Patti Wicks, rather than just another imitation of someone else."

Laurie Krauz  (left), who received a Bistro Award by Back Stage Magazine and who has been nominated several times (including 2003) for an Outstanding Jazz Vocalist award by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) believes that 25 different artists would give 25 different answers on the principal quality of a performer. But, for her, a "real singer is one who is able to express both the music and the lyric with tremendous artistry that is uniquely his or her own. " On success, Krauz said " Success is the ability to continue singing and to be able to continue the never-ending schooling that goes along with being a jazz vocalist."

Kole (left): "I am not comfortable with being around people who do not believe that I should make it on talent alone. I am too talented for that."

Hilary Kole defined performer's virtues in these words "Honesty, a firm grasp on the subject matter.  Intimacy, intelligence with a lyric.  Musicianship, musicianship, musicianship.  (If not musicianship, become an actor.) Kole has been described by de Lafayette as "an accomplished pianist, a composer, a sophisticated vocal and musical arranger, an innovative standards traditionalist, a music visionary, nymph of refined up tempo jazzy swing imbibed with elegant sensuality and richly  rebellious voice." Asked what is more important success/fame or talent? Hilary Kole replied " Success and fame are not of our making or control, so the people who spend their lives worried about it are bound to end up unfulfilled.  I have been very fulfilled so far in my journey in life because I surround myself with fabulous, artist people." And that is that. A fine lesson in music and voice quality by those who know the trade.