Fan's Page
Fans and Critics Say the Greatest Things About Marlene!
"It never fails. Whenever Marlene VerPlanck appears on the small, intimate stage of Le Dome at the Manor in West Orange she immediately begins a musical love affair with her audience.
"And that is exactly what happened on the evening of Oct. 16 — her 18th cabaret year at the Manor — when the petite bundle of extraordinary talent brought back memories and chills in her “Tribute to Johnny Mercer.” VerPlanck was the desired dessert that evening.
"Assisting her, with equal love, were here talented trio, Ted Firth at the piano, Rich DaRosa, drums, and Steve LaSpina, bass. VerPlanck, looking absolutely beautiful in a lovely gown, presented Oscar-winning and nominated songs written by Mercer, some of which he wrote with others, including Warren, Van Heusen, Arlen, Kern, and Hampton.
"Numbers that especially mover her loving audience were highlighted by 'The Days of Wine and Roses,' 'Moon River,' 'Jeepers, Creepers,' 'I Remember You,' 'That Old Black Magic,' 'Fools Rush In' and 'Early Autumn.' " -- Bea Smith, The Essex Journal
"With her pure, clear voice and thoughtful, careful phrasing, Marlene VerPlanck is the perfect interpreter of Mercer's songbook. His songs are musical gems--perfect little emotional moments that beautifully express the giddy joy of first love ('Jeepers Creepers,' 'Namely You'), the dream of love ('I Thought About You,' 'I Remember You'), the frustrations of love ('Something's Gotta Give,' 'I Wanna be Around') and just plain fun ('That Old Black Magic'). The songs are called 'standards' for a reason: These classic numbers are the groundwork not only for contemporary jazz, but for the modern American Songbook. And just when you think you've heard every twist and gimmick a singer can do to a song, the VerPlancks come along and strip away everything unnecessary, leaving the pure music and emotion to remind us of why the number was--and is--so beloved." -- Jena Tesse Fox, Cabaret Scenes
"With Johnny Mercer’s centenary year coming up in 2009, there will surely be several concerts and events dedicated to his memory. There was a preview of this celebratory period when Marlene VerPlanck took the stage at Le Dôme in South Orange on October 16. The powers that be will be hard pressed to find a more glorious and heart felt remembrance of the lyrical genius of Mr. Mercer from Savannah than the one presented on this evening by VerPlanck and her trio of Tedd Firth on piano, Steve LaSpina on bass and Rich DeRosa on drums.
"It is an oddity of the world of vocalizing that certain singers seem to have a natural affinity for the output of a particular songwriter, and Marlene VerPlanck is probably the premier interpreter of the lyrics of Johnny Mercer. In 1979, VerPlanck made an album titled Marlene VerPlanck Loves Johnny Mercer (Audiophile – 138). It was released on CD in 1988 with some additional tracks bring the program up to 21 selections, and has continued to be one of the best selling albums on the label. Her show at Le Dôme included 16 of the songs that were on the album plus an additional nine tunes, including four in her opening medley." -- Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz. Magazine
"It was (Marlene VerPlanck's) first visit to (London's Spice of Life) Jazz Club and, if ecstatic audiences are anything to go by, it won't be her last. The cognoscenti, discerning and enlightened, were out in force, but I was also struck by the number of thirty-somethings dotted around the room who appeared to get as much of a bang as I did myself, which is saying something." -- Leon Nock, "A Nightingale Sang in Cambridge Circus," Perfectly Frank, UK
"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." -- Jena Tesse Fox, Cabaret Scenes
"Tempting as it is to suggest that ever-dependable Marlene VerPlanck has done it again, serving up yet another platter of luscious standards and rarities, truth is she did it eight years ago. Produced, arranged and even promoted by hubby Bill VerPlanck, this collection [My Impetuous Heart] of 18 tracks (with the VerPlancks it's always about quantity and quality) was originally recorded with the Hank Jones Trio and released in 2000." -- Christopher Loudon, Jazz Times
"Among Ver Planck's entrancing skills is the deft clarity with which she expresses these lyrics while breezily nailing their emotional irony. Charmer Ver Planck delivers it all with a total command of the jazz idiom in a expressive soprano thats filled with boundless warmth, fun and optimism." -- Andrew Velez, AllAboutJazz.com
"Start with superb pitch control and enunciation, add in musical sensitivity and a great respect for lyrics, an eagerness to explore classic songs old and new, striking arrangements by Billy VerPlanck, impeccable and sympathetic accompaniment, and what do you get? Marlene VerPlanck interpreting American jazz and popular songs in a sparkling performance as classic and classy as art song." -- John Edward Hasse, author of Beyond Category: The Life and Genius of Duke Ellington and editor of Jazz: The First Century
"VerPlanck has entranced audiences with her singing and her scatting at Le Dome every year. It appeared that she was singing directly, one-on-one, to each person in the audience. She reaches into the depths of one's soul. It's a great feeling!" -- Bea Smith, syndicated columnist, Worrall Community Newspapers
"Marlene is unpredictable and beyond category." -- Dan Singer, Singer's Singers
"Marlene performed songs ranging from those of Francesca Blumenthal and Ronny Whyte to Johnny Mercer and Doris Tauber. From her latest album Now!, she offered the Blumenthal/Whyte compositions 'The Party Upstairs' and 'Yes!' Sinatra was not forgotten with a lilting 'All My Tomorrows,' with Marlene singing most sincerely and lovely. Drawing on her love and admiration for Johnny Mercer, she sang a beautiful 'Drinking Again' that was pure and brilliant. Another gem was 'I Keep Going Back to Joe’s' by Jack Segal and Marvin Fisher and again a treat. All in all, a most delightful evening!" -- Tom Coyle, Sinatra Society Magazine, Dublin, Ireland (reviewing Marlene's appearance at The Concord Club in Eastleigh, UK)
"An evening with Marlene VerPlanck is a musical experience to be savoured and remembered while we await her next visit to these shores." -- Sheila Tracy, Crescendo & Jazz Music (UK)
"Commanding by friendly and warm stage presence, class, style, exquisite taste, unmatched technique, experience, creativity, diction perfection, exemplary phrasing, superb choice/selection of first class material, perfect harmony and esthetic sublime equilibrium between music, vocal projection, the elan she infuses in the depth of the lyrics and the breathing of rich and delicate metamorphosis of ballads define the magic and super talent of this magnificent singer. This woman is an institution. A monument to excellence. If you are a buff of credentials, accomplishments and exclamation marks, don't go further. Freeze. Steer your Martini, get comfy and dash into the magical world of Marlene VerPlanck." -- New York Monthly Herald
"Marlene VerPlank is a straight ahead singer. She has a wide vocal range, good diction and a pure quality. Paying attention to the lyrics, she sings her stories believably with a jazz-oriented musical background. VerPlank has been out there singing long enough to know her audience and deliver the kind of performance which communicates with and pleases them." -- Marcia Hillman, ejazznews.com
"I was in attendance (at The Iridium on Broadway) and caught the marvelous Marlene VerPlanck. After countless gigs and many albums, Marlene sounds as fresh as ever, relishing good melodies old and new. She sounded especially youthful and vibrant the night I popped in. Selections from her most recent CD Now! are terrifically energized, especially 'The Party Upstairs.' (Just days later, this fun collaboration of Ronny Whyte and Francesca Blumenthal was announced as a nominee for Song of the Year by MAC.) Marlene, whose love for quality songs is infectious, also shines on classics in a 'romance' medley, including some indestructible standards. A couple of thoughtful detours about drowning one's troubles in drink and dark bars ('Drinkin' Again' and 'I Keep Going Back to Joe's') seem right at home as customers sip, but it's almost impossible to feel gloom when sunny Marlene is in the room." -- Rob Lester, Talkin' Broadway
"Last week Marlene VerPlanck had two concerts here in Florence (Italy at the Caruso Jazz Caf. Both evenings were wonderful. A trio of very good local musicians backed her on a series of standards arranged by Billy VerPlanck and found themselves on the same wavelength as Marlene to make some beautiful music. Marlene's voice is amazingly youthful and fresh. The way she phrased and shaded the meaning of each sentence was perfect, every word was pronounced with great care, never a single syllable tossed out casually, and everything had a pathos that was always done to perfection, with a lovely balance of musicality and drama. Needless to say, the audience loved her!" -- Stefano Nuzzo, Songbirds.com
"Chanteuse Marlene VerPlanck is one of these hidden American national treasures. We're so lucky to have her ilk in that the American Songbook (as a result of her vocal efforts) remains integral. And, she keeps us abreast of those compositional gems, we as her listeners may not be privvy to. ...Marlene has that ability to leap up & down her vocal register brilliantly delivering her song in a facile, pure & almost bell-like tone. I characterize her talent thus as a diverse yet intelligent exercise of infectious energy, clarity, melody rhythm & harmony. The jazz/pop idiom must not other than hold her dear...." -- George W Carroll, The Musicians' Ombudsman, from The Cabaret Exchange
"...VerPlanck's long, rich, singing career (is) built around a lovely voice and refined musical skills. With a strong, clear delivery, perfect diction and a penchant for plucking strings of notes out of the stratosphere, she makes a difficult art seem effortless. Speaking of Love finds her, amazingly, as the height of her abilities. Among the delights are the bouncy 'Jamaica Rumba' and 'Little Jazz Bird.' They showcase VerPlanck's light, dexterous voice and the pure joy she takes in singing. Her emotional pitch is perfect on an abridged 'I'll Take Romance,' from a 'Romance Medley.' It is poignant and hopeful and without a trace of cynicism." -- George Garmhausen, Newark Star-Ledger
Photographs and Memories
Here's a slideshow with some photos of Marlene and her fans and friends. Click on the link to begin the slideshow and use the VCR controls at the top of each image if you want to stop the show or advance the photos manually.
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