Carol Welsman: Lucky to be her?

JAKARTA (JP): "Ladies and gentleman, please put your hands together for Sea Jamz recording artist Carol Welsman!"

From the left hand of the small and crowded stage of the Jamz pub, a tall blonde woman with a beautiful smile suddenly appeared on the stage, dancing along with the catchy tune played by her accompaniment.

The woman opened her act with an upbeat song to get the audience moving.

The woman, none other than jazz singer, pianist and Toronto native Carol Welsman, is perhaps a stranger to many, but she's less peculiar among jazz enthusiasts.

Welsman, who lives in Toronto, Canada, was born with music in her blood. At the tender age of 12 she was already performing in public and by the end of high school she had mastered the piano, violin and double bass. She attended Berklee College in Boston, U.S.A. in 1979 and majored in piano performance.

After college, she hit Europe to start her career. She toured France, Greece, Spain and Italy and received praise from reviewers anywhere she went.

Welsman, who speaks English, Italian and French, also collaborates with other artists. She once worked with Romano Musumarra, a songwriter and producer for Princess Stephanie of Monaco and Celine Dion, on a song called Just Imagination, which later reached number eight on the top single dance list. She then became the English lyrist for Dion's compositions and also Dana Dawson's New York/Paris CD and the Ray Charles 1995 recording Out of My Life.

Perhaps her career highlight is a jazz performance in Paris with George Benson, who later described Carol as "a sensational singer with great promise".

Currently teaching jazz vocal at the Music Department at the University of Toronto, Welsman has just completed her first CD entitled Carol Welsman -- Lucky to be Me. According to critics, the CD showcases Welsman's exquisite and expressive vocal stylings and her magnificent piano playing.

With such an impressive background, only time will tell if she will reach the Mt. Olympus of jazz's greats.

Performance, ballad

Wearing a white jacket and a miniskirt with black stripped stockings, Welsman's dress was far from vulgar. Instead it added to her colorful performance.

After an impressive opening with a great solo by the guitarist, the crowd clapped furiously, hungry for more.

What followed was a scintillating piece from Brazil which she sang in the original Spanish. Her fluency was surprising, and the instrumental accompaniment was a sight to see. The drummer was given a wonderful rickety-rack solo.

Perhaps thinking that the crowd were getting weary of the same beat, Welsman tried to change the pace with ballads. She sang Out of My Life, a slow, sentimental song with touching lyrics. But she doesn't have the voice for it. Her fast and talented voice is made for fast songs not slow, fixed tunes.

Welsman's accompaniment consisted of Mark Kelso (drums), Phil Dwyer (saxophone) and Paul Novotny (bass).

Although the ballads were uninteresting, her improvisation of Come Together by the Beatles was an instrumental feast. The vocalist, the drummer, the saxophonist and the guitarist harmonized so well that place launched into a fury of applause.

Welsman's strongest point is her improvisational skill on old songs, making them more stirring for jazz fans. The Brazilian song, The Girl from Ipanema illustrated how she catalyzed the song and veiled it with a catchy tune, with the essential instrumental solos.

Welsman's performance was enchanting. Her tunes were lively, making the mainly middle aged fans comfortable. The audience, mostly loving couples, enjoyed the relaxing but upbeat atmosphere created by Welsman. Some sat quietly, transfixed with her performance. Others clapped along and shouted the occasional praise.

Welsman, unfortunately, didn't communicate well with the crowd, perhaps being uncomfortable with her new surroundings or the nowhere-near-full house. Her only comments were "Thank You Very Much." If Welsman had talked more and tried to establish a closer tie with the audience, the show would have been more exciting.

Carol Welsman is definitely ready for the big time. With her catchy songs, wonderful voice and excellent piano playing, it would be strange if she didn't make it. Her album says Glad To Be Me and, well, I am glad that she is.

-- Pandu Sjahrir