Chicago born jazz chanteuse Rose Mallett performs in Idyllwild to raise money for scholarships to the Idyllwild Arts Academy.
The Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation are staging the fundraiser as a “jazz brunch” on Sunday, March 20. Active since 1968, the Associates have performed many functions that benefit the arts and arts education, particularly in providing scholarship assistance for IA students and cultural activities for the wider Idyllwild community.
Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Associates established an endowment fund in 1988 to support arts scholarships in perpetuity. Now comprising almost $300,000, the fund provides interest income annually to scholarships for both the Academy and Summer Program. Ticket sales from Mallett’s performance help the Associates in its mission to increase its scholarship-dedicated endowment fund.
Featured artist Mallet began singing in elementary school as part of the school chorus. At 16, after her family relocated to Los Angeles, she formed an R&B group with three girlfriends. Sam and Dave, the Rock & Roll and Grammy Hall of Fame R&B duo heard the group and offered them a chance to record a demo at Capitol Records in Los Angeles. The demo led to a Capitol recording contract for the young singers.
Mallett’s career broadened after meeting Marvin Gaye and Motown producer Hal Davis. Davis enlisted Mallet in recording demos of songs he had written to pitch to already-signed Motown female artists. Davis was producer and co-writer of Jackson Five hits “I’ll Be There” and “Dancing Machine.”
Mallett has performed in Las Vegas at the Hotel Riviera and the MGM Grand. She has recorded as a voice-over artist and is scheduled to perform this year at Jazz in the Pines. Critics have likened her vocal range to that of Sarah Vaughan, her style to the joy and playfulness of Ella Fitzgerald, the brooding pain of Billie Holiday and the regal bearing and articulation of Lena Horne. The Los Angeles Times called Mallett a “major attraction.” “Sarah Vaughan is my all time favorite singer,” said Mallett. “Right now I’m in the process of putting a one woman show together.”
Mallett works regularly in Palm Springs – the Purple Room, the Palm House and Woody’s. At the Sunday jazz brunch she will be accompanied by jazz pianist Tateng Katindig.
Brunch will be served at the Fireside Room of Nelson Dining Hall on the IA campus at 11:30 a.m. Mallett’s performance will be at Stephens Hall (“The Barn”), walking distance from the dining hall, at 1:00 p.m.
Tickets for the brunch are $35 and are available on the Associates website, www.associatesofiaf.org or by mail. Send checks payable to “the Associates of IAF,” P.O. Box 303, Idyllwild, CA 92549.
For more information visit the Associates’ website.
