What happens when every musician onstage is a virtuoso in their own right? In the case of Carolyn Montgomery in Girl Singer, a tribute to Rosemary Clooney, you get a sublime evening of singing and swinging. Montgomery, a powerhouse vocalist clearly in her element onstage, is accompanied by an all-star band led by Music Director Tedd Firth featuring Jonathan Kantor on saxophone & clarinet, Matt Scharfglass on Bass, Sherrie Maricle (of the DIVA Jazz Orchestra), and Trumpeter Warren Vaché (who played with Clooney for many years). Add the talents of Tony-nominated artist Sally Mayes as the evening's Artistic Director, and you're in for quite a ride!
As she states at the top of the show, Montgomery is here to pay tribute to Clooney, not to imitate her. The song list may be filled with tunes made famous by the ultimate girl singer, but with her distinctive musical point of view, supple vocals and just the right amount of snarky sex appeal Carolyn takes ownership of them. These are not slavish recreations of Clooney's greatest hits but fresh interpretations through her own musical sensibilities illustrating in a vital, living way that the music of the Great American Songbook still packs an emotional punch here in the 21st Century.
Between songs, she shares stories from Clooney's autobiography, occasionally paralleling them with her own experiences; however, for the most part, she allows the music to speak for itself, which it does most eloquently. There is no sentimentality here, even when diving into the emotional depths of a song like "Love You Didn't Do Right By Me." Yes, there is heartbreak, but it is leavened with humor, irony and an utter lack of self-pity.
Other highlights include gathering a clutch of problematic hits (William Saroyan & Ross Bagdasarian's "Come on-a My House," Dee Libby & Sid Wayne's "Mangos," Bob Merrill's "Mambo Italiano", "Sway" by Pablo Beltran Luis & Norman Gimbel and "Bacciame or Botch-A-Me" by R. Morbelli and L. Astore) that music director Firth called "Ethnically Homeless" into one wildly nonsensical mega-medley. Expert-level absurdity is displayed here, with Montgomery and company swinging hard while leaning into the often inane lyrics. Tenderly (Walter Gross/Jack Lawrence), This Masquerade is Over (Walter Wrubel/Herb Madison) and Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" interlaced with the Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn's "The Second Time Around" were standout moments for their exceptional musicality, lush vocals and emotional resonance.
There will be an encore performance of the show at 54 Below on March 25, 2025. https://54below.org/events/carolyn-montgomery-girlsinger-a-celebration-of-rosemary-clooney-3/
"Carolyn Montgomery: girlSINGER, A Celebration of Rosemary Clooney"
Performed by Carolyn Montgomery
Musical direction by Tedd Firth
Artistic direction by Sally Mayes
November 19, 2024
54 Below (254 W 54th St. Cellar, NYC)
Wendy Lane Bailey has a powerful classic pop voice and a rather cavalier attitude towards the idea of genre. Wendy-Lane’s debut solo recording, Breathing, was produced by composer/arranger/pianist Michele Brourman. Her performances in venues across the country have earned critical praise for versatility and sophistication. She has appeared as a guest artist on multiple recordings, including Leslie Gore’s and Susan Egan’s. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, HB Studios and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. Off-stage Wendy Lane is a creative advocate for artists. While living in Washington, D.C., she founded a regional networking organization for musicians and for five years, was the Associate Director of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University. She received a 2007 Bistro Award for outstanding achievement and was nominated for a Washington Area Music Association Award. While serving on the board of NJ’s Pioneer productions, she produced, directed, and appeared in several theatre pieces. She is currently developing Hot Coffee, MS, a solo theatre piece with music in collaboration with Michele Brourman & Gretchen Cryer. In 2020, she accepted the position of Assistant Artistic Director of the United Solo Theatre Festival. In addition to her performing work, she teaches and consults privately and in master classes for singers of all genres.
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