BWW Previews: ELLA: FIRST LADY OF SONG at DE Theatre Company

"Now that you're gone, all that's left is a Band of Gold...." Well, that was 1970, and while the singer of the song's husband may have quit, Freda Payne the songstress is very, very much still around. She stars in Delaware Theatre Company's regional premiere of ELLA: First Lady of Song, opening April 18. The show follows Ella from her early childhood struggles of abuse and living on the streets through her career as the preeminent jazz singer of all time.

Aisle Say had an opportunity to chat with the delightful Freda during her first week of rehearsals. Unlike some who emerged early in life as an internationally known celebrity, she impressed me as a joyful, down to earth individual with no sense of entitlement or hubris.

Born in Detroit, she grew up listening to jazz artistes such as Ella and Billie Holliday and began singing radio jingles as a teenager. "I was a jazz singer before I was an R & B singer". Laughing, she said, "I was a jazz singer masquerading as an R & B singer".

I asked if Berry Gordy of Motown had ever reached out to her. "Yes, Berry had written 3 songs for me. But my Mother would not agree with the terms of the contract. "This was prior to his forming Motown Records".

Note: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL comes to The Playhouse on May 1. The musical chronicles the super stars under Gordon's thrall. The production speaks to that very issue. Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and The Jackson Five left Motown due to this very issue. Apparently, Freda's mother was prescient.

In 1963 Freda moved to NYC and worked with various HUGE names, such as Quincy Jones, Pearl Bailey and Bill Cosby. In the '80's she found work in movies, Broadway and other theatrical productions, Freda was in Broadway's HALLELUJAH with the endearing Leslie Uggams and in '95 toured with Savion Glover in JELLY'S LAST JAM, so certainly there is a comfort zone in the book musical at DTC.

In 1971 she sang an anti-Nam song which stayed in the charts for a long time, 'Bring The Boys Home'. Modestly Freda says "I received so many thank you's from the soldiers back then".

During a tour with Maurice Hines, the dressing rooms were contiguous. Vocalizing one day, Maurice commented, "Freda, do you know you sound like Ella"? Of course, she knew, but now a seed was planted in Hines' brain. Hines conceived and directed this show.

Maurice has a strong connection with Bud Martin, Producing Artistic Director at DTC, having starred in Maurice Hines: TAPPIN' THROUGH LIFE at the Riverfront venue a few seasons back. In fact, through Martin's strong Broadway connections, it had a life off-Broadway following its Wilmington run.

I asked about scatting. I recall Ella on TV with Mel Torme doing a scat duet. I recall my father going bonkers over that. Yes, Freda can scat as well as Ella. "You get into the groove, baby, and it just takes off".

There is an actor playing the young Ella. The show is backed with a live 7-piece band. Included in the production are Ella's legendary standards, 'How High The Moon', 'A Tisket, A Tasket', Gershwin's 'Summertime' and 'The Man I Love', Rodgers and Hart's 'The Lady Is A Tramp' and 'My Funny Valentine' and others.

April 18 - May 13 DelawareTheatre 302.594.1100

Relaxed Performance on May 6 @ 7pm

Next Up: Maurice Hines: TAPPIN' THROUGH LIFE for 1 wkend only June 1-3

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