A seasoned standards vocalist paired with a 15-piece band in a cabaret setting is heaven for me. Even better is when that vocalist is someone such as Judy Whitmore, a master of anything she touches. She is a licensed jet pilot, a licensed therapist, a best selling author, a theater producer, a recording artist and a mom, to name a few. But don’t take my word for it – listen to her rendition of It Can Happen To You from her forthcoming album Isn’t It Romantic? Added bonus: she is accompanied by piano phenom Tamir Hendleman.
It is lovely, no?
Judy Whitmore and her brother Bill Grubman will be performing selections from The Great American Songbook at The Samueli Theater on October 15. Accompanying them will be a 15-piece band conducted by John Sawaski, a composer-keyboardist who has appeared just about everywhere.
Judy Whitmore was kind enough to answer some questions I submitted to her via email:
Stage Right Secrets calls you a multi-hyphen talent. I love that term. Do you?
JW: Thank you for the “multi-hyphen” moniker. I’ve always enjoyed change and adventure. This personality trait combined with my nature to be a goal-oriented workaholic–and I mean that in a good way–made it possible for me to have a variety of careers. I always love what I’m doing, so it never really feels like work.
I read about your music and dance immersion at a young age. How did you relate with your classmates in those early years? Were you quoting Cole Porter when your schoolmates quoted from the top 40?
JW: When I was in grammar school, I watched an endless number of old Hollywood musicals on TV, where orchestras materialized out of thin air and people would start to sing and dance. It all seemed so normal to me, I thought that would happen in real life. So, by 3rd or 4th Grade, I was ready and waiting for the orchestra to appear on the playground or in my classroom. I knew the lyrics to a hundred songs, and I knew dance steps. My big concern centered on my fellow classmates. How would they know the lyrics or the dance routine when the orchestra appeared?
It sounds like your brother Bill Grubman followed a similar, that is, non-linear path to cabaret performance. Discuss.
JW: Bill and I were raised in a musical environment. Our grandmother had been a professional pianist, and our grandfather was first violin in the MGM Studio Orchestra during the golden age of movie musicals. We loved listening to his stories about working with Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and all the old “song and dance” stars. Bill and I both imagined we’d have a life in musical theater, but I got married young and had two children, and Bill was expected to go into the family business. But we never lost our deep and abiding desire to perform. When I finally took to the stage, after years in other careers, I held out my hand to my brother. He grabbed on tight, and now the dream we had as kids has come true.
Most of us SoCal-based jazz fans bow at the feet of Tamir Hendlemann. How did you connect with him? Are there OC-based musicians you’ve worked with in the past?
JW: The arrangements for the new album were finished, but we didn’t have a pianist for the upcoming recording session. David Arana suggested I contact Tamir, and fortunately he was available. I thought I would meet with Tamir a couple of times and then record the album. Instead, I spent two months at Tamir’s studio, with producer John Sawoski, while Tamir rewrote every one of the arrangements. It took time for Tamir to work his magic! He is a remarkable musician, and I felt honored to work with him.
How do you divide your time among projects these days and how did you in the past?
JW: My brother, Bill, and I are rehearsing a new show. We’ll be at the Samueli Theater at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on October 15. The plan is to take this show on the road. I also enjoy serving on Pacific Symphony’s Executive Committee. It’s an extraordinary organization that feels like a family to me, with a dedicated staff and highly accomplished, gifted musicians. In the past I had more time to devote to my writing, but writing has taken a back seat for the moment.
You were neighbors with John Denver and he encouraged you to take flying lessons.. Did he hear you sing?
JW: When I was learning to fly, John was very supportive. I have him to thank for my extraordinary adventures in aviation. And yes…John did hear me sing. I was playing the part of Baroness Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music. John and Annie came to one of the performances. They brought me a big bouquet of red roses and a card…which I still have.
What is in your future? Any more hyphens? Will you continue to write books, practice psychology, etc?
JW: I’m currently working on a new book which I hope to finish this year. I loved being a therapist. My license to practice is current…I never gave it up. As far as more hyphens…my attorney’s bills are so high, I’ve been thinking I might have to go to law school!