Nancy Wilson |
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Fri. September 15.2000 8:30 AM EDT |
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Tribute To Singer Nancy Wilson Celebrates Female Jazz LegendsAnnie Ross, Diane Schuur, many others at New York's Merkin Concert Hall with Wilson for charity event. by Correspondent Lara Pellegrinelli |
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Singer Nancy Wilson was the chief honoree at an event to raise money for Dress for Success New York. ( ) |
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NEW YORK — Some 25 musicians traversed the stage of Merkin Concert Hall on Tuesday to perform at A Tribute to Nancy Wilson and the Women Legends of Jazz. Jazz and R&B singer Nancy Wilson was the
"This is a wonderful tribute to my mother and all these other women who are long overdue for recognition," said April Stone, a native of Los Angeles and Bryant's daughter. "I'm not a musician myself, but growing up with her, someone so full of life, has put music in my soul forever. The people I grew up around because of my mother also helped that happen: Billie Holiday actually changed my diapers, and Sammy Davis Jr. often came by our house." Bryant, still radiant at 73, purports to be the only female horn player to have performed with Charlie Parker. Maurice Hines, the rather campy master of ceremonies, gave the ladies a run for their money. "My manager, Stanley Kay, has wanted to do this forever," he said, acknowledging Kay for having conceived the event. "And girls, you know more than anyone, there ain't nothing better than new drag." Hines was referring to the evening's charity, Dress for Success New York. The nonprofit organization provides suits for low-income women, helping them make a tailored transition to the workforce. Wilson, who sat attentively in the front row among honorees, exchanged smiles and excited glances with her fellow musicians. Singer Knew Her Path Early Born Feb. 20, 1937, in Chillicothe, Ohio, Wilson said she always knew she wanted to be a professional singer. A local contest got her on TV when she was 16. She recorded dozens of albums for Capitol starting in the late '50s; "Save Your Love for Me" with saxophonist Cannonball Adderly (RealAudio excerpt) became her first hit, back in 1962. Her 1967–68 NBC series, "The Nancy Wilson Show," won an Emmy. Wilson now hosts the "Jazz Profiles Series" on National Public Radio. Jarvis, outfitted in a sparkling pantsuit the color of Aquafresh, proved to be quite a character. She recounted tales of playing for the Mets — no, not on the ball field, but behind the team's organ. While receiving a "princely" $25 a week, she won many fans among beboppers for her renditions of the "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Even if it's with difficulty, we're all still breathing," Bach said with a smile. "But there are some women no longer with us, those from the earlier period of jazz, who also deserve recognition." Bach, director of the documentary "A Great Day in Harlem," voiced respects to Helen Oakley Dance, Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, Nancy Miller Elliot and others who labored behind the scenes as writers, producers, patrons and managers. Wicks, publicist for the evening, was a case in point. She has been employed by Jazz at the Philharmonic, Nat "King" Cole, Benny Goodman and countless others. Bryant and Ray recalled life on the road with all-girl bands, such groups as the Sweethearts of Rhythm, Prairie View Co-eds, and Hollywood Sepia Tones. Viola Smith, who was not able to attend, worked as the drummer for Phil Spitalny's Hour of Charm Orchestra. Sherrie Tucker's recent book, "Swing Shift: All-Girl Bands of the 1940s," is indebted to interviews with all three and presents a detailed history of the era. Music, Dance Wind Down Evening Diva, under bandleader Sherrie Maricle's direction, launched the evening's musical program. The 16-piece big band blew the roof off "Jumpin' at the Woodside," while the Savoy Swingers, a duo of talented lindy-hoppers, followed suit with airborne maneuvers. Melba Joyce joined Diva for a medley of Ella Fitzgerald favorites, impressively scatting all 16 choruses of Fitzgerald's solo on "Lady Be Good," but most of the other musicians simply sat in with Diva's rhythm section. Davis tooted through "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," an unlikely theme for these women, supported by Ray's beefy basslines. Jarvis displayed wit at the piano, and Ross simply recited lyrics to "Music Is Forever," her touching tribute to past legends of jazz. Ray, with a voice much like her bass, returned to sing Ellington's "Come Sunday." Although Bryant no longer plays, she did sing, bringing the audience to its feet with an eerily true-to-life impersonation of Louis Armstrong. Perching on the lip of the stage, she and Nancy Wilson exchanged heartfelt lines on "What a Wonderful World." With so many talented women and so many awards already given out — each honoree received a trumpet sculpture — Wilson's performance seemed anticlimactic by the night's end. "I've spent my whole career telling people I am not a diva. I have never been a diva," Wilson said. "Now, for the first time, I can really appreciate that word." Wilson sang just one tune. With Frank Owens joining her on piano, "Don't Take Your Love From Me" delivered all the smooth sophistication for which she is known. As she exited, Hines claimed the spotlight for himself to sing "Too Marvelous for Words." All the ladies linked arms and danced in front of the stage. It was the perfect end to a wonderful evening. |
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