Most singers look for songs that do the most for them, whether displaying their skills as a belter or their range as dramatic interpreters. It's only logical, of course, and no one could be faulted for focusing on what a song can do for them. Marlene VerPlanck, on the other hand, is a rarity among modern singers: rather than looking for what a song can do for her, she focuses on what she can do for a song.

In a recent visit to Barry Levitt's Jazz Workshop & Brunch at Iridium Jazz Club, VerPlanck performed a wide range of songs and styles, demonstrating her versatility and reminding everyone in the room of why she's one of modern Jazz's greatest treasures.

Two classics by Gershwin ("Looking for a Boy" and "A Sure Thing in You") were sweet and charming; Johnny Mercer's "Day In, Day Out" was wild and energetic; Raigner & Parker's "I Wished on the Moon" was as full of determination as longing; McGlohon & Tracey's "Listen to the Silence" was gentle and poignant, and Francesca Blumenthal and Ronny Whyte's "The Party Upstairs" (2006 MAC Award winner for best song) was just pure fun. The Barry Levitt Trio, recent winner of the Best Jazz Trio MAC Award, served as an excellent match for Billy VerPlanck's smart arrangements and for Marlene's clear voice, underscoring and emphasizing the emotions as needed.

Another trait that sets VerPlanck apart from other artists is her refusal to rely on needless gimmicks to make an impact. The only riffing in a song is scripted scatting, and she doesn't dare risk damaging her clear voice by belting. Instead, she performs the song as written, focusing on the lyrics as much as the notes and letting the emotion of the text come through in the music. It's a rare quality in contemporary singers, and shows off not only VerPlanck's skill, but her confidence. She chooses her songs well, and, working with her husband's arrangements, makes them sound as beautiful as possible. Composers and lyricists can always feel safe with their songs in the VerPlancks' hands.

For information on Marlene's tour schedeule, visit www.marleneverplanck.com.

Tesse Fox
Cabaret Scenes
June 10, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org