"Cabaret Scenes" Magazine Review - Kenneth Kamal Scott

Like a preacher selecting a Bible quote to inspire his sermon, Kenneth Kamal Scott chose "Here's to Life" as the guide for his celebration of more than 60 years in show business as a dancer, singer, Broadway lead (the title role in The Wiz), and concert soloist, laced with fond and humorous memories from career and family.

...Mr. Scott approached his selections--from a joyful "April in Paris" (Duke/Harburg) to a spare, deeply felt "The Day I Stop Loving You" (Diane Warren)--as if they were are songs, employing his classically trained lyric tenor as a musical instrument to give each a distinctive sound and interpretation.

High points included an evocative "Calling You" (Bob Telson) sung a capella as Mr. Scott entered from offstage, a sly "It Ain't Necessarily So" (the Gershwins), a soft and gentle "I'm Glad There Is You" (Dorsey/Madeira) dedicated to his wife, Etta, and a soulful, proudly bittersweet rendition of his show's title tune, "Here's to Life," performed to Nori Ochiai's simple piano accompaniment.

Mr. Scott graciously ceded the floor to Mr. Ochiai, bassist Scott Colberg, and Charles Goold on drums for solo turns as he tapped along or moved with the music. His pleasure in performing was in full evidence, whether leading the receptive audience in an infectious sing-along of "I Just Called to Say I Love You" (Stevie Wonder) or wringing from his encore, "My Foolish Heart" (Young/Washington), all the fearful hopefulness it possessed.

Bob Barnett
Cabaret Scenes
September 28, 2010

A Dream Come True - Wendy Gerbier

Recently I was speaking with my student Miss Wendy Gerbier, a world class mezzo soprano, about her upcoming Parisian debut in December. We were so excited because this will be a full professional concert which for any artist is a tour de force. My only regret is that I won't be sitting in the audience applauding her performance. Stateside, Miss Gerbier has sung before both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, and during our conversation she laughingly exclaimed "What I wouldn't give to sing for President Obama!"

Well, last night following our Master Class her dream came true. Miss Gerbier received a telephone call inviting her to sing for President Obama this weekend during a Bridgeport, Connecticut campaign fundraiser. It is with tremendous pride that I congratulate Wendy Gerbier: This is just a sampling of her many Dreams to Come True.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥"Alter Ego" here. Monday night I witnessed true mastery of song and entertainment at Kamal's solo nightclub performance "Here's To Life" at the Triad Theatre. Despite the torrential rains the club was packed with his fans and admirers and we were treated to a night of nostalgia and fun. Kamal's voice spans all genres of music from opera to jazz to no doubt hip-hop (can't you just hear him beat boxing...). "Here's To Life" offered romantic ballads interspersed with upbeat and whimsical numbers including a wonderfully wicked rendition of Porgy and Bess' "It Ain't Necessarily So." There wasn't a dry eye in the room as he dedicated the haunting ballad "I'm So Very Glad There's You" to his lovely wife Etta.

Backed by the Nori Ochiai Trio (I could listen to pianist Nori all day, he's that good), Kamal gave us all he had and left us begging for more.

Encore.

Seasonal Changes

We are now coming to the close of a most productive summer.
Like the different colors and temperatures of the seasons, so the voice continues its magical metamorphosis. I, as mentor/teacher have been privileged to witness the growth and maturity of so many of my students. Please accept my sincere congratulations to you all.


In particular I'm sure those of you who have been in attendance share in the absolute Joy concerning Ulises Fernandez who has begun to blossom into a rare and special vocal flower. I salute you for your patience, consistency, respect for the journey. Uli has been in my studio for many years, and has never doubted the possibilities of excellence that accompany this particular
approach.


So we begin a new season, with high expectations; My Garden Flourishes!!!!!

Schbert's "Ave Maria" Revisited

The first European Classical piece I learned was Schubert's "Ave Maria" taught to me by my Great Aunt Josephine when I was 10 years old.

It became a moment of reward sometime later on the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour,where I won first place on national television singing this piece, and went on to perform it in front of 15,000 people at the Boston Gardens as part of the prize. The Boston Post reported "A small boy's perfect soprano; The hubbub and the din subsided as the clear notes sounded through the vast auditorium of the Garden"

Yesterday I was privileged to witness this kind of magic from a different perspective. The place, St Augustine's Cathedral Chapel in Brooklyn, the event, a Roman Catholic wedding, the soloist my wife, Etta Russell Scott.
Contracted by the bride and groom who had experienced the beauty of her pure and delicate Soprano voice earlier this year, along with "Ave Maria" she also rendered "Panis Angelicus" by Cesar Franck.

I don't know what my voice gave in those early days to generate such response, but I do know that Etta brought that same gentle peace and purity needed to help define this very special moment. Brava!!!!!

New Beginings

This month was full of personal joy for me.

First of all I received several testimonials from Artists who have shared wonderful moments, that are all a part of an incredible journey of Artistic and personal experience that must be told.

This month also was the beginning of my Cabaret/Classic, Master Class at Chelsea Studios. We got off to a great start and were able to clarify for these young singers, the beauty of self awareness, and the defining of one's God given gifts.

Moving forward, Etta, my wife and protege, went into the studio for the first time to record (pictured above). Those of you who know the the tremendous difference between performance, coaching, and, class certainly understand the focus and security it takes to be ready for this most unusual of artistic endeavors. Etta recorded some of the most difficult Oratorio literature, and was able to come away with a product capable of displaying real vocal freedom, and a source of pride and accomplishment for the many hours and years that it took to make the journey.

Etta, you serve to validate my knowledge as a teacher.

"La Voce"

I chose the road less traveled.

To develop a real functioning voice for the Bel Canto style of singing Opera, one must make a total commitment for life. Because I wanted to know the difference between having a beautiful voice and one capable of what seems impossible, I embarked on the most difficult journey of my life.

There is no perfect state, but we must continually aspire to such. This journey has produced vocal abilities that I have dreamed of possessing for years. This particular time in my life has shown me that the truth in all things is possible if we are willing to submit (be submissive)to an energy far greater than ourselves.

Though my time spent having a career has been long and fruitful, I feel I've only just begun. This vocal understanding is a gift; I wondered why singers from the past sang into their 80s and 90s, and those today are plagued with heartache and vocal deterioration. Longevity was no accident, but a knowing that somewhere along the way became polluted.

There are many roads to Rome, and today I confirmed having truly found one. A man is a success when he feels like one.