Anyone who knows me knows I love music. I am surrounded by musicians. The majority of my close friends are musicians, most of my clients are musicians and I make no distinctions between genres. In my iPhone right now I have everything from Bizet's Carmen to Ke$ha to The Mamas and the Papas to Deadbent to Lefty Frizzell to Juan Velasco. I love them all.
I do, however, have a special place in my heart for jazz music. I mean old-school jazz. The sultry, smokey, rich vocals combined with snare drums and and horns with just the right layer of piano. Something about jazz music transports me to a place that is truly amazing.
One of my favourite jazz singers is Maureen Kennedy. I have created make up looks for Maureen on several occasions. Her style is very old school — bright lipsticks and beautiful eyelashes. She really does embody the aesthetic of classic jazz. Her voice is mesmerizing.
Maureen has cultivated an extensive repertoire of memorable standards and rediscovered gems that compliment her very personal sound. The purity of her sound and her restrained use of vibrato is second to none.
With the release of her newest CD, Out of the Shadows, Maureen shows us, again, why she is referred to as an "ethereal, soulful and singular voice." (Ralph Benmergui)
Recently I asked Maureen what beauty means to her:
"My personal style has definitely changed through the years. When I was younger I loved vintage clothes because I could make such a unique, one-of-a-kind statement. I still wear some vintage pieces but my style now is simpler and more comfortable. Gone are the days when I would wear a 1950's party dress. My singing style, however, is still a little vintage because I love all those great jazz singers who were popular in the 1950s.
Beauty is not just a physical thing. Physical beauty really is transitory and it’s important to cultivate other qualities like intelligence, empathy and humour.
Being a mother has influenced my personal style. As I mentioned before I like to dress simply and I want my regime to be unfussy. The only time I really dress up is when I’m singing or going somewhere fancy. There is a bit of the bohemian still in me.
Right now I love — and I speak the truth — my favourite cosmetic product is The Lipstick #10 by Daniel Thompson. My friend Patti Loach introduced it to me. I love red lipstick and this one is the perfect red for me."
Maureen performs often and you can see her next at the Jazz Bistro in Toronto on May 29, 30 and 31. I will be there on the 31st! The club is very intimate so be sure to make a reservation.
Next Month: Nathalie Paulin
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