Special Pride News –Jazz Singer Veronica Klaus at Duplex - June 22, 24 - Triad June 27th. This is a Must See event during NYC’s most festive time of the Year Gay Pride Week I recently got to have a quick chat with one of the most intriguing and talented women on the Jazz/Cabaret scene, following her spectacular show at the Duplex this past March… The Duplex NYC 4/10/09
Famous in San Francisco, singer Veronica Klaus lavished her New York audience with an unbridled ardor. Miss Klaus, a striking Valkyrie, was tall, blond and stacked - part Veronica Lake, a dash of Kathleen Turner and one hundred percent artist.
Tunes such as “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and “Love me or Leave Me” were sung with a voice as rich as molasses, yet clear and without affectation. Each word was delivered straight to your heart. Jazz, blues and pop were all blended in to a cohesive and occasionally naughty program.
As if that was not enough, this lady was the musician’s musician. Her “Cry Me a River,” started out in a quietly dramatic, breathy rubato with Veronica then counting in her band into a Latin Funk Frenzy as Brian Newman’s sizzling trumpet literally cried in response to her plebian beseeching.
Veronica gifted the audience with two original songs (my favorite being “Black Diamond Days”) that gave a glimpse into her metamorphous and the unusual journey she has had. Without ever announcing it out loud, she alluded to the fact she had gender reassignment, a fact she celebrates in her autobiographical show, Crown Jewels. M. Why showbiz and when did you make the choice? Was it your choice entirely or were you swayed by anyone? One of my regrets is that my parents wanted me to love music so much I do not know if I ever really chose to be involved with the arts---
V. In the 4th Grade I sang at solo contest, "We've Only Just Begun" by the Carpenters....the judges thought I had talent, but were dismayed by my song choice, deeming it "a bit mature for such a young singer." I may not have been ready for matrimony quite yet…
M. Quite often judges do not realize that it is not the age of the talent but the depth—those deep feelings don’t always have to do with actual experience—but with the very essence of the performer.
V. … but I soon realized the thrill of sharing powerful emotions usually left "to rest, unexpressed", paraphrasing Cole Porter. After that I threw myself into anything where I could be on stage singing. I spent a lot of time during my high school years at church, not only on Sunday, but alone, at night, teaching myself to play the piano, with any kind of music I could get my hands on....hymns, classical piano music, pop tunes. I think that piano was my best friend. I'm not saying I played well, but since I was playing for my sole enjoyment it didn't matter. As a kid I never found anyone in my family interested in music, but I've been told that when my grandmother was younger, before Alzheimer's set in, she would sit down at a piano and instinctively make beautiful music.....maybe that's where it came from.
M. - Who was your first big supporter?
V. My first influences were definitely my music teachers. I learned to read music 4th grade playing the tuba--it's a long story. Through high school choir teacher, Ms. Stewart was an amazing teacher and was equally enthusiastic about classical and pop! I remember sometimes when she just didn't feel like following the lesson plan—she would pass out lyric sheets to something familiar like Lennon's "Imagine" and would sing for us...watching her close her eyes and get lost in the music was my first transcendent concert experience.
M. You were very fortunate to have such a positive foundation. By the way how the hell did you get to be such an authentic Jazz singer?? It can't just be from listening to Billie Ella Etc. or everyone would be great.
I think that when you possess an absolutely certain sense of self, then you can communicate a genuine point of view with an audience. I guess that I have never really been very interested in what is most popular....mass appeal. I don't buy into our cultures collective youth fetish. I take anything that an American Idol has to say about love with a grain of salt. When you listen to Billie or Ella or either of the Ettas you know what their point of view is....they've lived, you know? I guess I've always been used to having to prove who I am and be sure of it...whether it was as a singer or as a person. Having a complex personal gender history--qualifiers like "transsexual singer" is sooooo annoying--I guess it just adds another layer of interest and perspective to the music.
M. At what point did you receive reassignment and how did it affect your voice? Your sound is so pure and not at all manipulated—did you have to learn how to re-sing??
V. I have lived as a woman for around 20 year – the hormones do not really make a difference as once the voice changes in puberty, the vocal chords are changed for good, it’s not like you can go back to being a boy soprano.
M. So you would say that your voice has not changed that much, always a flexible “Alto”
V. Yes.
M. When did you KNOW you were good?
When I started working with my friend and incredible pianist Tammy Hall, I was introduced to some fantastic jazz singers from San Francisco like Denise Perrier and Lady Mem'fis. These women I admired tremendously and when they call you up for a song, you KNOW you are doing something right!
M. Why San Francisco over NY or LA or Tacoma, Washington??
V. I initially moved to San Francisco after college with a boyfriend and love it! It's a great place and a beautiful city to "find you" - people have been doing it for years. I think that coming from the Midwest, San Francisco seemed very welcoming and open-minded. New York is fantastic adventure, but San Francisco is home.
M. When did you learn that dogs were better than people????
I've had my little Chihuahua, Charisse for only a year and a half, but I can't imagine being without her now! If I make a mistake, she's not waiting to say "I told you so!" And she never gets tired of hearing me practice!
Veronica is presenting her new show, “Something Cool” as part of the city’s “Pride Celebration” at the Duplex on June 22 and 24th. Triad on June 27 "With Strings" A performer who could enchant your grandmother as well as your teenager, Ms. Klaus is a totally compelling entertainer. Reprinted with the permission of Cabaret Scenes & Cabaretscenes.com
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