Singer-songwriter, Joanie Pallatto, has released her 16th studio album, My Original Plan, featuring 14 original jazz-pop songs, with modern guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque. Pallotto will showcase the album on Friday, October 1, with an appearance at Pangea. The Chicago-based Pallatto is also the co-owner with husband and creative collaborator, Bradley Parker-Sparrow, of Sparrow Sound Design Recording Studio and the Southport Records label.
Pallatto is a graduate of The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She toured with The Glenn Miller Orchestra as a featured vocalist before moving to Chicago in 1979. As a studio singer and voiceover talent, she has recorded on hundreds of radio and TV commercials and as jazz vocalist has performed at a spate of Chicago and New York clubs. Pallato is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Extra-Ordinary Contributions to the Music Industry, Chicago Music Awards (2021); The Coleman Award in Music Business Entrepreneurship from Elmhurst College (2018) and the Jazz Journalist Association Chicago Jazz Heroes Award.
NiteLife Exchange (NLE) asks Joanie Pallatto (JP) Six Questions:
NLE: What was the inspiration for My Original Plan? What significance does the title hold?
JP: I always keep a file of ideas that come to me over time. Lyrics, music, rhythmic patterns and sometimes just a song title. I often write my ideas down on index cards. “My Original Plan” was on one of those index cards, and when I wrote it, I thought it would be a good title for my CD. Then came the task of actually writing the song! I had to think back to my childhood, and the first line of the lyrics is: “My Original Plan was to learn to fly a kite.” The rest was easy and flowed quite naturally, and the melody came from the rhythm of the lyric. When I wrote the bridge “Before it’s too late” that completed the concept of my song. I think people respond positively to the idea of a life plan, and this is “My Original Plan.”
NLE: When did you “discover” that you’re a songwriter? What have been your favorite compositions to date?
JP: I’ve been writing songs and arrangements throughout my 40+ years as a “professional” singer. I was inspired by Sparrow’s music when we met in 1980, and would contribute melodies and lyrics to his songs. He made it seem so easy! The late great pianist King Fleming invited me to write lyrics for his songs which resulted in a CD “The King and I” (2000 Southport). When I embarked on my first CD of all original music in 2008, I found that I had what I considered a “knack” for writing. Among my personal favorites are “My Original Plan” and “This Winter” from the new CD, “Violets are Blue” and “It’s Not Easy” from “It’s Not Easy” (2008) and “For My Mother’s Love” and “And He’s Growing Old” from “As You Spend Your Life (2011).
NLE: How did the collaboration with Fareed come about? What’s been a highlight of making music with him?
JP: I began working with Fareed in 1994, recording on my CD “Who Wrote This Song?” I knew of his reputation as being such a fine player, and when we recorded together, it really “clicked.” He has been such an important collaborator on my original songs, and his contributions are invaluable. Co-producing “My Original Plan” with Fareed has been such a highlight of my recorded career. I am ever grateful to Fareed for his musicality, his production skills and his friendship. Performing live with Fareed is always beyond special. His guitar playing is spectacular. I believe we really trust each other musically.
NLE: You’ve had a long partnership with Sparrow, as husband and wife and as creative collaborators; what’s been your secret of success?
JP: Sparrow and I will be married 39 years on November 6, 2021. I love him AND I like him! That makes it easy. Our relationship began through music. He hired the singer for his band and then married her! That would be me… Sparrow was already recording and producing records when we met. After we got married, we decided to build a “real” recording studio, Sparrow Sound Design, that opened for business in 1984, and to continue the label, which became Southport Records. The only secret I can tell you is that we always have had a similar vision and purpose in life and continue to work toward our individual and collaborative goals together. When we perform together, there can be “no fear”—just be present in the moment. And that is something I learned from Sparrow.
NLE: Your music is a mix of genres: pop, Tin-Pan Alley, Broadway and jazz; how did you come to this style of writing and performing? Which, if any genre gives you the most satisfaction?
JP: I grew up when all genres of music were being played on the radio. I loved it all, and would listen to Motown, Burt Bacharach’s songs, Julie Andrews, Elton John, Stevie Wonder… and later in college I heard jazz! Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Betty Carter and Bob Dorough. I suppose my writing comes from all of that, and the trick is to find what comes from your heart and soul and hope it comes out in a way that makes musical sense. I don’t give it too much thought when I’m writing. I just try to go with what I hear in my head. What gives me the most satisfaction is writing a song that I really like, and that I think is good.
NLE: What’s next for you and your label, Southport Records?
JP: We plan on doing another recording with the legendary and unique guitarist George Freeman. At 94 years-young, he says he has lots of ideas and new songs! I will begin on my next recording. I have written five songs so far, so I need to get Fareed over here to flesh them out with me!
Joanie Pallatto-Fareed Haque-Tânia Daley at the Green Mill, Chicago with “My Original Plan”
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