By Maximillien de Lafayette, Syndicated Columnist
©2006, The Globe Weekly News
DONNA BYRNE, is unquestionably a signature of perfection and a monument of excellence to contemporary Jazz. Do you want to hear the best in the business? Go see Donna Byrne on stage! Or just get her CDs if you live behind the horizon. The national media has already acknowledged the magnificent talent of Ms. Byrne. "One of the best singers currently on the scene", wrote Jazz Times. And Tony Bennett seems to agree. He said: "It doesn't get any better than this . . . One of the best young jazz singers in the country today. She's the Real McCoy." What is so special about Ms. Byrne's talent? First, her rich and wide range of vocal virtuosity which blends together, an honest emotional projection and an innovative, esthetically daring improvisation. Second: A perfect command of voice, meaning she uses her vocal cords as a musical instrument of one million octaves, a rare quality, hardly witnessed on stage or on tape. Third, and here comes the best: The captivating persona a of a warm, engaging, truthful and mesmerizing entertainer.
Talent is a great asset, no questions asked. Ms. Byrne told me that talent is a gift, a blessing, it is important, however TALENT is not the most important characteristic feature of an accomplished performer. To be able to entertain the audience and establish a direct rapport with the public is a major accomplishment in an artist's career. And upon that accomplishment, quite often, a singer's success takes off and radiates. And she is absolutely right. We go to concerts and cozy Jazz rooms to be entertained and to become one, with the beauty of the music, the human depth of the lyrics, the stage presence of the performer, and most certainly, to be entertained. Ms. Byrne symbolizes and represents all of the above. In that context, Donna Byrne becomes America's perfect singer-entertainer; in other words, the best of the best in the business! Two thumbs up, all the way! She is REAL. Ruby Braff, so truthfully said: "Artistry that will always appear fresh . . . No phony affections . . . Beautiful and completely believable. What more can you ask for?" Jazz Times stated: "Donna Byrne (is) one of the best singers currently on the scene, one who approaches her lyrics with both intelligence and swinging time, and without distorting syllabic emphasis or resorting to stagy histrionics to get her meaning across." Ms. Byrne is almost perfect at so many levels; voice, class, feelings, grace, improvisation, charm, intelligence and a captivating vocal virtuosity.
Grosso modo, a vocal treasure. A gem! In addition to her stage presence and an unmatched talent, Ms. Byrne's enriched her world of music with a pragmatic understanding of the variants, ups and downs and fabric of the entertainment business. In her interview with us, she so eloquently and honestly shed light on delicate and hidden facets of the world of music and performing, including the state of mind of singers on and off stage, the world they live in, the importance of success in their career and the truthfulness of performers on stage. Her answers were right on, even though, her spirituality took over, here and then. The depth of her character is another asset and virtue of this remarkable woman and outstanding singer.
Her brief biography tells us that "Donna grew up with music in her blood. Encouraged by her father to sing and perform at the age of two, she first emerged as a professional singer on Cape Cod 25 years ago, where her talents caught the eye and encouragement of famed pianist Dave McKenna. After a hiatus to raise her three children, Donna exploded back onto the scene with four critically-acclaimed CDs. Donna's powerful voice, energetic personality, and life experiences give her music an almost spiritual feel, a soft and subtle charge which has brought admiration from the most novice of jazz fans to Tony Bennett...Donna has been the opening act for both Lou Rawls and Bob Newhart. When Donna performed at Tavern on the Green in New York, her audience was filled with luminaries, among them, the legendary Margaret Whiting, who thoroughly enjoyed Donna's performance. Tony Bennett dropped in on the evening of his birthday to hear Donna sing one of his songs, "It Was Me." Mr. Bennett was also present at the Blue Note (he flew home early from the Superbowl to catch Donna and Dave McKenna) and at Sculler's Jazz Club to catch their show there. What a delightful surprise!!!Donna has performed with Frank Wess, Stanley Turrentine and Dave Frishberg - to name just a few. Donna was voted by Boston Magazine "Best of Boston" for jazz vocals. She has has been nominated multiple times for Boston Music Awards' best jazz vocalist.
CANDID CHAT WITH DIVA DONNA BYRNE
Q-What would you do to stay on the top?
Donna Byrne: "On Top" is, in my opinion, a subjective term. In the earlier part of my career I would diligently pursue musical opportunities. I worked much more frequently out of the Boston area than I do now. My priorities have shifted and staying on top for me means staying on top of my own game. I try to learn and improve with each performance and to raise my own personal standards for what is or is not a good performance.
Q-And if luck turns against you?
Donna Byrne: Sooner or later luck turns against everyone. I roll with the punches and deal with whatever hand I have been dealt.
Q-The best idea you ever came up with?
Donna Byrne: Using my musical ability in order to raise funds for those far less fortunate than I. I believe that talent is God-given and that it's purpose should be for something greater than to gratify one's own ego.
Q-What makes Donna Byrne, so different from other sparkling stars?
Donna Byrne: That's a hard one. I think that we all are different and all sparkle in our own unique ways. I don't see music as serving me but rather consider myself lucky enough to be a conduit of such beautifully written songs.
Q-What is the most pleasant sound to your ears?
Donna Byrne: The sound of my children's laughter and Dave McKenna's piano.
Q-And the most beautiful site to your eyes?
Donna Byrne: My children, my husband, my family, my animals, happy faces in the audience and the color of the sky at dusk.
DONNA BYRNE: "I DON'T HAVE STAGE FRIGHT."
Q-What do you fear most in life?
Donna Byrne: Losing those close to me.
Q-What do you cherish most?
Donna Byrne: My family.
Q-If you had to write your memoirs or biography, what title would you give to your book?
Donna Byrne: "DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME"
Q-What goes in your mind, right before you appear on stage and facing your audience?
Donna Byrne: The hope that I don't mess up any of the lyrics or arrangements. I don't have stage fright.
Q-And upon leaving the stage?
Donna Byrne: Gratitude for the people who came to see/hear me and gratitude if I didn't screw up the lyrics or arrangements. I also feel a sense of relief because I can decompress and put all of those lyrics right out of my head.
Q-What do you notice first about a person you meet for the first time?
Donna Byrne: If they appear to be sincere and hopefully funny. I like funny.
Q-And what people notice first about Donna Byrne?
DONNA BYRNE: "I AVOID LYRICS THAT I CAN BRING NOTHING TO.
Donna Byrne: That I'm funny and down to earth. At least that's what they tell me.
Q-Stage is an elixir of illusion. Do you bring your life to stage, meaning Donna Byrne, the human being, or the Diva in you?
Donna Byrne: Absolutely my own life and humanity. I avoid lyrics that I can bring nothing to. I almost approach the music with the same technique as a method actor. I've had to pay some dues so I might as well use them to my musical advantage. I don't have a drop of Diva blood in my veins.
Q-What are the virtues of a real singer?
Donna Byrne: Basic skills should be in place i.e. good sense of time, good intonation, etc.
DONNA BYRNE: "PEOPLE PAY TO BE ENTERTAINED."
After that I believe that it is the singer's role to attempt to bring the audience on a journey with her (or him) and to transform their reality in the brief time that is shared with them. Simply providing a technically proficient recitation of the song is not enough. People pay to be entertained. I also think that it is of critical importance to the success of a performance that an emotional connection be established with the audience. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not and I can usually tell right away if it's there.
Q-Do you tolerate vicious artistic ambitions?
Donna Byrne: Not a bit. I don't tolerate anything vicious and refuse to participate in any such thing. I really do try to answer to a higher power.
Q-What does success mean to you?
Donna Byrne: Growing musically. Being better than I was the last time out and earning the respect of the enormously talented musicians with whom I work. That's it in a nutshell. Where it happens is of little interest to me.
Q-To YOU, what is more important success/fame or talent.
DONNA BYRNE: "SUCCESS IS A VERY SUBJECTIVE TERM."
Donna Byrne: Definitely success which is also a very subjective term. I have to earn my definition of success; talent was a gift.
Q-Any price an artist must pay to reach for stardom?
Donna Byrne: I believe so. Nobody can have it all. If an artist is completely consumed with the pursuit of stardom other aspects of their life will suffer.
Q-Did you pay that price?
Donna Byrne: Nope, I was unwilling to do so.I have had the good fortune of having been offered many appealing opportunities but I often declined. When I am ready to depart this earth I would far prefer to regret missed career opportunities than to regret the neglect of three children. Still, it was nice to be asked.
Q-What's next on your agenda? Performance, concerts, deals?
Donna Byrne: I have several upcoming concerts and probably another recording in the not too distant future. I have been involved with three different record labels and have found that with each involvement I was expected to make too many artistic compromises. I would far prefer to record for an independent label. I am not interested in quantity but greatly interested in the quality of my recorded output. It's fairly easy with the help of the internet to get the recordings "out there" without having to make uncomfortable concessions.