This blast goes out to my fellow singers, as well as any vocal jazz aficionados. There are some cool shows coming up at Bake’s Place that you might want to think about coming out for. Of course, vocal jazz is a mainstay at Bake’s, but I am particularly excited about these performances and think that each of them might be of interest to vocalists. A heads up seemed to be in order.
Portland vocalist Marilyn Keller will be rolling into town for a two nights: April 23 & 24. I first saw Marilyn in January, when she was Greta’s guest for Fridays in the Living Room. Marilyn has a bright presence that won me over immediately. I love her tone; it was clear and light with an ever so slight hint of a blues inflection. Her range of expression is phenomenal; she has the power pipes to thrill, chill and blow the roof off the joint, yet she also sings with a delicacy and vulnerability that really moved me. I’m still thinking about her achingly beautiful treatment of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” The musical camaraderie between Marilyn and Greta was a joy to behold. Together, they blasted off like bottle rockets: trading lines, scatting and swinging like mad. Marilyn will be Greta’s guest again on Friday, April 23 and on Saturday, April 24, Marilyn will be performing solo with her own band.
On May 14 & 15, vocalist-pianist Patti Wicks returns to Bake’s. Man, if ever there was an embodiment of jazz, Ms. Wicks is it. She’s got unbelievable piano chops and a deep, smoky voice that I would kill to have. She sings and plays with a lovely ease and fluidity. Her phrasing is conversational, and you couldn’t ask for a more playful stylist. She has a tendency to launch into her own improvised lyrics and the lady is damn funny. Patti is a native New Yorker and she came up through the ranks playing in clubs around the Big Apple, as well as up and down the east coast. Although she lives in Florida now, the New Yorker in her still seems very present. I think the coolest thing about Patti is that she doesn't possess one iota of pretense. She’s as authentic as they come, and the music she makes reflects it. Patti Wicks is a true gem.
I am very much looking forward to seeing and hearing Lorraine Feather, who will be at Bake’s on June 12th. Lorraine is known, first and foremost, as a lyricist. With a keen eye for observation and a razor-sharp wit, Lorraine crafts lyrics that get right to the heart of the human experience and all its idiosyncrasies. She’s covered the gamut: “marriage, death, B-vitamins, long-held yearnings, grammar school and Scrabble.” Lorraine is the daughter of critic and songwriter Leonard Feather, and her musical resume is a big one. She’s recorded ten albums and has performed extensively both as a solo artist and with her vocal trio Full Swing. She’s also written lyrics for numerous children's television shows and films and has been nominated for seven Emmy awards. I’ve never seen Lorraine before and am excited for the chance to check her out.
We don’t hear nearly enough from the male vocalists on the scene, and it is a rare thing indeed when several are gathered on the same stage for the same performance. On June 13th, Bake’s will bring back the wildly popular Tribute to the Rat Pack show. This is a fun-loving homage to those much-loved Vegas crooners and features Seattle swingers Clipper Anderson, Hans Brehmer, Reggie Goings, Butch Harrison, Jake Bergevin and even Craig Baker himself. The first Rat Pack Tribute show was back in November. It was a spirited evening of old-school Vegas swing, back and forth banter and lots of laughs. The place was packed, and I suspect this show will sell out quickly. It’s really a fun night. If you're interested, I’d suggest you make your reservations sooner than later.
Finally, the vocal jazz trio Trish, Hans and Phil returns to Bake’s on June 25th. Trish Hatley, Hans Brehmer and Phil Demaree have been performing together for over a decade. They perform pop tunes as well as jazz standards. The thread that runs through is their own unique styling, accented by their superb three-part harmonies. I’ve only heard this group on recordings, but they have a great reputation for their wonderful musicianship, as well as their fun-loving showmanship. I’m excited for the opportunity to see and hear them in person.
Obviously, all of these shows will be very different. But again, I’m writing about them because I think they each have the potential, in one way or another, to inspire and enthuse other singers. It’s always good to see how different people approach the music, and I delight in the many ways there are “to be” in this great adventure of vocal jazz. It heartens me and makes me feel all the more excited and happy about my own efforts. Maybe that’s true for you too. I hope to see you at Bake’s!
