MUSIC or LYRICS?

What captivates you most in a song? Are the lyrics mesmerizing... playful? Does the melody haunt you ... claim you? Being a vocalist, I can assure you that, nine times out of ten, the melody DOES something to me. If it is a great song, it winds through my every being and I HAVE to learn it! Then I become "its" addict. Yes, one can "overdose" on music.... but what an addiction to have, right?

Currently, I sing traditional Jazz Standards. My favorites happen to be written by a great lyricist: Johnny Mercer ... sheer poetry! When I was a young singer, it was all about the tune.. and the livelier, the better. As an adult, I have found great songs that combine great melody with beautifully expressive lyrics. My favorite, in that category is Mercer's SKYLARK.... the music mournfully weaves the song with the lyrics... BEAUTIFUL!

FYI, this year is Johnny Mercer's 90th celebration... listen to his music, or sing one of HIS songs to celebrate his birthday in November.

Skylark, have you anything to say to me?
Won't you tell me where my love can be?
Is there a meadow in the mist
where someone's waiting to be kissed?

Skylark, have you seen a valley green with spring
where my heart can go a journeying
over the shadows and the rain
to a blossom covered lane?

And in your lonely flight
haven't you heard the music in the night,
wonderful music,
faint as a will o' the wisp, crazy as a loon,
sad as a gypsy serenading the moon.

Oh, skylark, I don't know if you can find these things
but my heart is riding on your wings.
So if you see them anywhere
won't you lead me there?
Won't you tell me where my love can be?
Is there a meadow in the mist
where someone's waiting to be kissed?

Skylark, have you seen a valley green with spring
where my heart can go a journeying
over the shadows and the rain
to a blossom covered lane?

And in your lonely flight
haven't you heard the music in the night,
wonderful music,
faint as a will o' the wisp, crazy as a loon,
sad as a gypsy serenading the moon.


Oh, skylark, I don't know if you can find these things
but my heart is riding on your wings.
So if you see them anywhere
won't you lead me there?

June Christy

Have you ever bought yourself an album and thought, I like the artist...but the album is not grabbing me right away. So, you scan through songs quickly, listening to the obvious tunes, and finally find a fav song. After overdosing on the one song.. you give the rest of the music a chance. Then ZING, you are hooked. It's the only album that travels in the car.. on the ipod...and so on.

I was never familiar with June Christy's work, only came across it by chance when I borrowed the album "Something Cool" from a friend. Who was the singer? Everyone knows about Peggy Lee, even Julie London and the usual standards that are sung. June delivers powerful tunes with lyrics by the late, great Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn and many lesser know lyricists. [There are even a handful of tunes penned by Mel Torme. It's a really good recording. I enjoy her varied and passionate performance, sung with her hazy vocal quality.

My rep, as a Jazz vocalist, is pretty extensive, but will never be long enough. I get song ideas from the vocalists of the earlier Jazz era. What singer doesn't? So, the search for some beautiful, yet obscure music has begun. It is challenging, but very much worth the effort.

I have to - NEED to - SING the songs.... stay tuned.............hugz!

Judy- The Show!

It has been a life long dream of mine - ever since I sat in front of our black & white TV as a child, awaiting the yearly airing of THE WIZARD OF OZ - to sing a show centering around Judy Garland’s music. She ‘taught’ me to sing. Not meaning to say that I didn’t have lessons - Judy conveyed a natural passion as a singer/actress that compelled me to follow my own journey in music.

My personal tribute to Judy and her music, will be debuted at the STRONG NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PLAYS Making American Music.

A STAR IS BORN: Music of the Silver Screen - The performance will include memorable music that Judy sang as a young girl, a young actress in MGM films, and finally - in concert.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

January 13, 2010

7:30pm

For more information, ticket pricing and directions go to:

http://www.museumofplay.org/plan_a_visit/mam.html

Hope to see you there! ~Ann

Welcome Fans, Friends and Family!

Ann Mitchell Jazz is proud to be launching a Blogspot as well as the new and improved Ann Mitchell Jazz website!

Updates, Photos, Concert Dates and more can be found here at:

http://www.annsings.com

http://annmitchelljazz.blogspot.com

Thank you for your continued support and love!

~Ann