When Jackie Draper returns with Repeal the Blues (on Thursday, October 24, 7 PM, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre) she’ll be bringing long her musicians, and her dance partner, all set to blast the blues with songs in English and French. Composers and lyricists included in the set are the likes of Aznavour, Berlin, Coleman, Dietz & Schwartz, Gershwin, Green, Kern, Legrand, Lieber & Stoller, Mandel, McHugh, Porter, Warren and more.
In celebration, NiteLife Exchange (NLE) honors Jackie Draper (JD) with Six Questions plus one bonus.
NiteLife Exchange: When did you realize you have the gift of singing and what were some of your early influences?
Jackie Draper: Singing has been a gift of joy to me all my life. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t enjoy singing—whether singing along as a child with the radio or to records of Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Vic Damone and even Mario Lanza. Since early childhood I studied classical piano. So, I was inspired by Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy, Mendelssohn and many other composers. I played the piano in Sunday School to accompany the singing of hymns. I accompanied my dad’s cello playing. I didn’t study voice formally, however, until I was an adult. Then an entirely new adventure began, springing forth from and nourished by my earlier musical foundation.
NLE: How did you get your start and how did you eventually get into cabaret?
JD: In the year 2000 I was introduced to the art of cabaret by a voice teacher. He thought I would enjoy telling stories through song in an intimate setting. My first class was with Linda Amiel Burns—a thrilling introduction, culminating in a group show on stage in a club (the space that is now the Iridium). I then studied with Helen Baldassare, who mentored and directed me in many class performances and then in fourteen solo shows since 2003. The shows have been presented at Don’t Tell Mama, Danny’s Skylight Room, and, for the past twelve years, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. I’ve performed a total of nineteen different solo shows (the last five directed by Kimberly Vaughn) and intend to continue as long as I still have something to say and the energy, joy, inspiration (and resources?!) to say it.
NLE: Which is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your career?
JD: Wow! Every time I am blessed to be onstage—to tell a story, to express moving music, to blend with marvelous musicians, to connect with individuals in the audience—is a miracle to me. Right now, the most memorable experience is giving and experiencing uplift through my show, Repeal the Blues, which I’m presenting with my trio of great musicians and my dance partner at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.
NLE: How do you source material for your shows? Do you have anything in mind in regards to future shows?
JD: I’m always engaged in the “treasure hunt” of finding unique (and sometimes lesser-known) songs that resonate with me. I listen to music sung by people I admire; I peruse songbooks; I search YouTube; I find song titles that intrigue me from composers or lyricists I like. Sometimes a friend or teacher will recommend a song to me. I relish plumbing the depths of the lyrics to connect with their soul. I bring tunes to my sensitive, brilliant Music Director, Gregory Toroian, to craft an arrangement that frames and delivers the story of the lyric and highlights my interpretation.
Usually I am at least one show ahead, with an idea germinating in thought for the next project. Between shows I love running music with my Music Director/pianist until something speaks to me. There’s never a lull in the “treasure hunt.” I will soon be performing with a few other terrific singers in a December Christmas show, helmed musically by Gregory Toroian at the piano, with bass and drums, and directed by Geoffrey Stoner. My next solo show will be in the spring of 2020.
NLE: You have been a great supporter of other cabaret artists over the years. What has that experience been like for you?
JD: I attend as many shows as I can, within an active New Yorker’s budget of time and resources. I love supporting other artists, tuning into what each has to express and give. I learn a lot about the performers and their music. I’m inspired by their creativity, courage and connection with members of the audience (including me). I’m delighted by any cabaret show that lets me see who each performer is, in a truthful, musically inviting and enriching way.
NLE: What would you say is your current motivator?
JD: To uplift, to bring joy and to inspire, comfort, encourage, strengthen and even heal through music is a vision that motivates me and that I aspire to fulfill and embody.
NLE: What do you like to do in your spare time?
JD: I love to go to movies, theater, opera, ballet. I enjoy studying foreign languages (currently Italian). Dancing especially inspires me and transports me from every-day concerns to the joy of moving in harmony with music. The discipline of dance (whatever the style) results in exhilarating freedom of expression in motion. I admire and aspire to the grace and athleticism of great dancing. Grace is good!
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