Mabel Mercer (3 February 1900 – 20 April 1984) was an English-born cabaret singer who performed in the United States, Britain, and Europe with the greats in jazz and cabaret.
[This post is in celebration of Black History Month.]
[For last year's thoughts on Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Felix Mendelssohn click here.]
Litany for Mabel Mercer: Couplets (and a Triplet)
Mabel Mercer never pandered
When she sang a vocal standard.
Though her vocal gifts were limited,
Her career was not inhibited —
Rather than rely on voice,
She pursued another choice,
Earning tributes with beguiling,
Cultivated lyric styling.
Praised for all the telling ways
She could shape a pointed phrase —
Understated, never yelling,
Concentrated and compelling,
Focused on the storytelling.
She’s considered to this day
The archetype of cabaret.
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