Marlene in Big Band Jump Magazine

The January/February 2012 issue of the Big Band Jump Newsletter features Don Kennedy's wonderful interview with Marlene. Here's a sample:

"In our previous conversation we asked how old Bucky Pizzarelli was, and her answer was typical of her forward moving personality. She said, "Enough with the age!" And she was right. Artists such as MarleneVerPlanck, regardless of age, continue to promote the most valuable music of America and the world with theirtalent anddedication to quality. When we asked if she was still involved in commercial advertising jingles, she responded, "Have you heard the jingles lately?" The meaning of that statement was, of course, that she would not lend her considerable talent to the kind of music permeating the airwaves of much of radio and television today. Our first question was about that very subject; the deterioration of music quality."

View the entire article here.

Latest Performance Rave

Marlene VerPlanck
The Blue Note, NYC, Oct. 30, 2011

"I've a hunch that brunch at The Blue Note also hit just the right note for the increasingly attentive people at other tables, as she did for me, because Marlene VerPlanck's voice goes down as smooth as a Mimosa and her trio had more kick.

"The polished pro's set heavily sampled her latest CD's contents, contentedly, in a comfort zone, but still very much enjoying and invested in the material, with the title song,"One Dream at a Time," especially convincing as a mantra about looking back and forward. I'd resisted the story-song "Invitation to the Blues" on disc, but live — with winsome facial expressions and more obvious attitude, I bought it.

"In good spirits and good voice, ever gracious, she teased superb bassist Boots Maleson about being "the token male" with her and the all-female DIVA! Jazz Orchestra's leader, dynamic drummer Sherrie Maricle and primo pianist Tomoko Ono. All had generous, welcomed, impressive, accessible solos.

"Songwriters were saluted, too, two in person: Roger Schore, who set a thoughtful lyric to a Bill Evans melody ("In April"), was ringside. Noting Ronny Whyte's presence, Marlene suddenly huddled with the trio and gave us an unplanned "bonus track" of "The Party Upstairs," Whyte and Francesca Blumenthal's MAC Award-winning song she'd introduced.

"I'd have liked more chat — and more scat! But when the last song came—"Speak Low," a warhorse I thought I'd tirred of — I had to agree with its lyric's regret about the day ending "too soon, too soon."-- Rob Lester

Raves for "One Dream at a Time"

"One track at a time, One Dream at a Time is growing on me, and time with Marlene VerPlanck is well spent. I say "growing on me" not because her talents are new to my ears or record shelf (quite the opposite), but because the subtle aspects of this CD come out more on repeat listens." -- Rob Lester, Cabaret Scenes, October 2011
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"It's such a treat always to write about Marlene VerPlanck. She isn't fooling around here in her new delightful 16 song biscuit with her appealing way of getting real, real close to the melody and closing in on the lyrics. A creative blazing Hammond organ by Ed Vodicka starts things just right on with "Haven't We Met" (Rankin). lt's wildly high noted all the way. What a great ride." -- Dan Singer, In Tune International
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"VerPlanck has the kind of sweet, strong voice and straight ahead approach that sounds just right on a wide range of excellent songs that are slightly to the left of the really well known standards. Her latest album is filled with obscure gems to delight a songhound's heart." -- Will Friedwald, The Wall Street Journal, Friday, April 29
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"The new cd meets your high standards and is as good as anything I have heard in ages." -- Rex Reed, The New York Observer

"No writer could ask for a better or truer interpreter of his or her music than VerPlanck, for whom the song is the raison d'etre. From start to finish this album is an exemplary primer on the art of the song." -- George Kanzler, Hot House Jazz Magazine, May, 2011
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"She brings the musical expertise and understanding that has marked her work for many years...the bell like freshness of her voice is as good as it's ever been. -- Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal International, UK, March 2011
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"Whatever VerPlanck sings you can be confident that you will hear a performance that is tasteful, musical, lyric center and spot on. She has contributed another sparkling album to her impressive catalogue." -- Joe Lang, New Jersey Jazz Magazine, June, 2011
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"VerPlanck never ceases to surprise with her choice of material and her new cd is no exception and has to be the best yet." -- Sheila Tracy, BBC Presenter, UK, March 2011

"VerPlanck's new cd should delight her fans and garner new ones. Blessed with precise diction, and the love of a good lyric, her voice is clear, pure, young and remarkably rangy." -- Marcia Hillman, New York City Jazz Record, May, 2011
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"Sometimes just one phrase can open the window onto a singer's whole lifetime of musicality, stagecraft and accumulated wisdom" -- Sebastian Scotney
You can find the entire review here.

"'One Dream At A Time' marks one of the highest achievements of a performer to whom high achievement is the norm." -- Leon Nock, Perfectly Frank, UK April 2011

" 'One Dream At A Time,' a quality recording in every respect." -- Jerry Stonestreet, IN TUNE, April, 2011

"I have all your cd's and have listened to, 'One Dream At A Time' twice, and I honestly think it's the best!" -- Sylvia Gentil, Delft, Holland

Billy's Scholarship Fund Update

William Patterson University will award the first scholarship this fall! For more on the scholarship fund, visit Billy's Page.

See Marlene on YouTube!

Check out several videos of her performances here.