Dolores scozzesi

About me:

"DOLORES SCOZZESI HAS A GLORIOUS VOICE AND A UNIQUE, IMAGINITIVE WAY WITH A SONG" ~PAUL HORNER, COMPOSER OF THE BROADWAY SHOW "PEG" STARRING PEGGY LEE.
"DOLORES SCOZZESI HAS A GLORIOUS VOICE AND A UNIQUE, IMAGINATIVE WAY WITH A SONG" ~PAUL HORNER COMPOSER OF THE BROADWAY MUSICAL "PEG" STARRING PEGGY LEE. REVIEWS: “Sondheim Swings” Scozzesi has a deep-throated, powerful voice, reminiscent of Karen Morrow’s, and an easy stage presence. . . . backed by a strong combo — Richard Berent on piano, Dave Bass on saxophone and drums, Tim Emmons on bass and Yvette M. Deveraux on violin — which opened the show with “Comedy Tonight” and added strong instrumental breaks during several numbers. Bass scored particularly well as he moved through the audience playing the sax during Scozzesi’s “Sooner or Later,” which was one of her best songs. Scozzesi also shone on passionate versions of “I Wish I Could Forget You,” from Passion, and also “Move On,” from Sunday in the Park with George; and she made the over-done “Send in the Clowns” more interesting by singing more of the harmony than the melody line, with Deveraux’s violin helping to boost the appeal of the song.~Elliot Zwiebach, Cabaret Scenes “Oh Joy....I was fortunate to be at the Gardenia the evening Dolores Scozzesi sang, backed-up by Yvette M. Devereaux, violin and Richard Berent, piano. It was dazzling to hear such standards: ‘It Had to Be You’, ‘Something I dreamed Last Night’, ‘If ever I Should Leave You’, as they were meant to be sung, with insight, clarity and passion. Ms. Scozzesi has a dazzling range and smooth jazz interpretations which allows the audience to not only hear the words but feel them. Her show had grace, rhythm and a little bit of smart New York chatter which lifts the audience up before moving them into the ‘I remember when’ mood of her selections. Musical Director Richard Berent gave fullness to each of the standards, and the introduction of Yvette M. Deveraux and guest appearance of Julie Sax on saxophone was an imaginative addition to what was a soul satisfying performance. -Lois Bonfiglio, film producer”"
". . .I want to listen again, but I want to remember the pure intelligent scarf of mystery who has been down my avenues of joy, heartbreak and wonder; your joi de vivre is in the mix and I felt it at the elegance of your voicing, your pronunciation and yet you still have that savvy strut." "Lady Haig" Rutan, Author of "Death of a Bebop Wife" "Saturday brought me back to the Gardenia with "Songs My Mother Taught Me", DOLORES SCOZZESI'S latest show. If you've never had the pleasure of hearing Dolores, she has a unique style with a deep sultry voice but also gives you this nice head voice to highlight certain parts of a song making it hers and hers alone. Joining Dolores were Violinist: Yvette M. Devereaux, Saxophone: Julie Sax, Piano: Richard Berent. The cabaret community came out in numbers to support Dolores including MARYJO MUNDY, MARIA JACOBS, DAVID PASCUCCI, KEVIN DUGGAN, JOHN RUSSELL, & lots more. –Les Michaels" "LIFE IS A CABARET" newsletter.

....Dolores Scozzesi is an original. She can sing just about anything and doesn't limit herself to a particular musical genre. Like Nina Simone she is jazzy, bluesy and yet can sing light opera. Currently she's focusing on her jazz chops. Dolores has been singing since she was 2 1/2. (At that early age, her mom would sit her on a piano and she would sing "Just my Bill"). She was born in New York City and spent her very early years in Atlantic City New Jersey, when you could still smell the ocean. Her family moved to Queens and Dolores was the lead singer in her singing group (in the schoolyard). Her first public appearance was at the Plaza Inn when the Tymes were appearing there. She was 16 and her friends threw her onstage. She opened her mouth and sang: "He's Gone". From then on, whenever the Tymes performed there, they called her name and brought her up to sit in with them. When she was 18 she moved to New York City and lived on Central Park West and 68th Street beneath Richie Havens' percussionist. She studied acting in N.Y. at the Lee Strasberg Institute and in Los Angeles with Aaron Speiser. She studied Improvisation with the Groundlings, also in L.A. She didn't pursue singing seriously until she met Phil Moore after he moved back to Hollywood, "where he cranked out record after record backing countless singers, from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe. . .". Working with Phil, Dolores studied the Great American Songbook, and always loved obscure and unusual songs, like "Strange Feeling" by Billy Strayhorne. She sang in Los Angeles at the famous Improvisation Room in between acts like Robin Williams and Jay Leno when they needed a singer and opened for Tom Dreesen. She sang in the famous "Belly Room" at the Comedy Store. She also appeared in her cabaret acts in Los Angeles at the Rose Tattoo, the Gardenia (always with a different theme, "Mothers and Daughters", "November's Eyes", "From Sting to Sondheim", etc.), Englebert's (no longer in WEHO), Cafe Melrose (also no longer in WEHO), The Cinegrill one of Los Angeles' famous haunts in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel(even at their closing night with "Lotta Trouble" before they reopened), Cabaret Nosotros, The Belage 10/20, to name a few. The Hollywood Reporter commented, “Hats off to Cabaret Nosotros for introducing me to the fabulous Dolores Kelly! (her old stage name) This incredible blues singer had the crowd begging for more . . . she has a way with a song that is all her own, and her voice is spell-binding! Her dazzling stage presence and sultry voice are sure to make for an unforgettable evening." She starred in Paul Horner's "Suddenly It's Summer", at the Melrose Theatre. Dramalogue reviewed her as "Willowy Dolores Kelly lends her smokily dramatic mezzo soprano voice and arresting presence to the second act opener." Polly Warfield, L.A. Times, "Go to sleep feverishly sung by Dolores Kelly & Marc Allen Trujillo", Don Shirley. Michael Feinstein heard her rendition of Paul Horner's "Song" from this show and decided to record it for his album. Eventually, Dolores, always the romantic, fell in love with and married a French man and sang in many small jazz rooms throughout Lyon, France. While on her way to Paris to perform with her jazz trio, she found out she was pregnant with their lovely daughter, Sophia. Putting family first, Dolores moved back to the states to raise her daughter, and put her music aside. Even though her marriage ended, she has no regrets. It was an immensely romantic period of her life wherein she learned many pertinent lessons which she applied to her art. After her daughter grew up, Dolores continued her cabaret appearances. Her most recent jazz gig was this July at the Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill. However, her most recent and memorable appearance was with the fabulous Stevie Wonder when he appeared in a spontaneous performance in Century City. She just sang one song, "Natural Woman". Again, she wowed the crowd. Some things never change. She is currently in rehearsal for "Sondheim Swings" w/Jeffrey Gimble at Hollywood's famous Gardenia for April 10th & 11th, 2009.