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Jazz Articles about Mary Ellen Desmond
Mary Ellen Desmond and Meg Clifton: The Dynamic Philadelphia Songstress Duo
by Victor L. Schermer
In the jazz arena, as is all too often true in opera as well, vocalists, despite their sometimes fine voices and charisma, often lack true musicianship. This shortcoming is so pervasive, that we no longer expect such musical fine-tuning from them. Billie Holiday and the opera diva Beverly Sills were two great exceptions to the rule. Their style, their precision, their care with interpretation marked them as musicians, not just singers as such. There are others, of course -- Sarah ...
Continue ReadingDesmond and Clifton Swing at the Chadds Ford Winery
by Victor L. Schermer
As readers of my other All About Jazz contributions may surmise, I take jazz perhaps all too seriously, regarding it as an art form masquerading as entertainment. (Certainly, this dour quality of mine is no way to win friends and influence people, but there it is ;-). A few years ago, I heard Mary Ellen Desmond sing at Chris' Jazz Café¬ and I thought, “She's an artist- she knows her music." That assessment has been more than validated by her solo ...
Continue ReadingMary Ellen Desmond: Darn That Dream
by Victor L. Schermer
It is this writer's impression that, here in the Philadelphia area, some of our finest contemporary jazz artists are like diamonds in the earth, appreciated by those who know them but awaiting a larger national and international audience. Hopefully, the best of them will follow in the footsteps of Jimmy Bruno, whose extraordinary guitar musicianship has in the past few years led to several fine recordings and a burgeoning and well-deserved national reputation. Another such exceptional talent waiting to make ...
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