By Donald True Van Deusen
Fans of classic jazz and pop singers in Philadelphia are not limited to
the belly-button brigade of Brittany replicas. There are still clubs where
you can hear vocalists who know how to sing literate lyrics with memorable
music. Three such singers working these clubs getting much deserved praise
these days are: Jeannie Brooks, Joann Pascale and Megan Clifton.
Brooks demonstrated her vocal wares at the Zanzibar Blue (215.732-4500)
at Broad and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia March 29 and 30, with sets at 9
and 11 p.m. for a $10 cover.
Reared in a gospel-singing family in Hopewell, N.J., Brooks has worked
the Philly club scene since 1982. Just a few years ago, she was popping all
over the stage at clubs ranging from the now-defunct Blue Note to the 23rd
Street Cafe. Last Summer, she garnered praise for her work at the Cape May
Jazz Festival.
Pascale, just 22, sings with surprisingly sophisticated style for one so
young. Her treatment of such standards as "Bewitched, Bothered and
Bewildered" and "Willow Weep for Me" are classic vocal treatments. She
already has the not-easily impressed Pete Souders, owner, Ortlieb's Jazz
Haus; and Al McMahon, talent manager, Chris' Jazz Cafe, singing her
praises. She recently completed an Ortlieb's gig and is scheduled for an
April 19 date at Chris'.
A classically trained singer who was graduated from Temple University's
Esther Boyer College of Music, she fell under the spell of jazz working
with such Philadelphia jazz giants as Bootsie Barnes. She teaches, serves as
cantor and music director at St. Philip Neri Church in Philadelphia and
works various club gigs all over town.
Megan Clifton is the vocalist with Big Swing Face, an exuberant,
youthful jazz band scheduled for an April 5 date at Chris' Cafe. She sings
with the assured aplomb of the great female jazz big band vocalists of the
1940's such as Helen Ward and June Christy. She is a joy to see and hear.
We will tell you more next week.
