Daryl's career dated back to the last Artie Shaw Band whereas Cécile was the new kid on the block but already shooting high.
I'd first heard Daryl over a weekend in 2010 at the Saville (now the Exchange) in North Shields and the following night at Trinity Church, Gosforth. Digby Fairweather played trumpet on both sessions. I was captivated by her voice and her piano playing. There was just a touch of Blossom Dearie in there. Over the years we've had occasional contact online where she often displays her fascination with my name e.g. 'Lance - thanks a - lot' - priceless!
Cécile first came to my attention at this same venue (Village Hotel & Leisure Centre) back when it was the Whitley Bay International Jazz Festival. She was singing in a small offshoot away from the main hall and it was sardine full so I only heard enough to realise I was in the presence of a soon to be mega jazz star - I think it was a Billie Holiday tribute gig, or it may have been Bessie Smith - or both. Roly Veitch was on guitar - what a name to have on his palmares!
Our local songstress, Debra Milne secured an exclusive interview with Cécile for BSH which can be read here: Debra interview.
So, the scene was set for a memorable encounter. The theme was Lee Wiley and Daryl was able to tell many tales, as well as sing many numbers associated with Wiley. Cécile didn't have the stories but she knew the songs. Nobody could call this one. Possibly Daryl just clinched it by virtue of her piano playing. Not only were her vocal chops in the firing line but Jeff Barnhart was playing piano which meant she had to put up or shut up on two fronts!. Fortunately she met both challenges head on and everyone was happy, not least Lee Wiley who, if she was looking down from 'up there', probably thought that it was 'S Wonderful that she was being remembered by two such great singers duetting on a song she had herself recorded many years previous. A memorable afternoon - Lance
PS: in the photo Daryl is on the left, Cécile on the right with saxophonist Jean-Francois Bonnel - a regular at Whitley Bay - in the centre.
1 comment :
Dearest Lance,
One more once, THANKS-A-LOT!
That Whitley Bay Fest with Cecile is absolutely one of my most treasured memories.
Thanks also to Mike Durham, I had a prior visit where I brought COLE (Porter)to NEWCASTLE via The Sage! I've seen Cecile only on occasion here in NYC but each time we fondly reminisce about sharing those wonderful Lee Wiley and Mildred Bailey songs. She'd just recently heard "Lull In My Life" but had never performed it. I played a bit of my arrangement for her and she was eager to try it. I don't know if you or anyone else in the audience could see this, but while I played piano for her remarkable singing, tears of joy and emotion flooded down my eyes. There's a video out there of that set and I'm forever grateful. Keep well and swinging y'all!
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