Jazz pianist and vocalist York headlines Jazz at The Merc

By Holly Herndon - For The Californian | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 9:11 AM PDT ∞

The genre of jazz music has proved to be timeless as numerous musicians all over the world uphold the traditions associated with the Great American Songbook. Jazz pianist and vocalist Pamela York admires the composers who have made this music such an institution but she prefers to also show her audience a little piece of herself.

York began her musical career at the age of eight when her parents found her experimenting with her grandmother's old piano in the basement. They bought York her own instrument and enrolled her in the same type of classical piano lessons that many children endue at that age. Although she enjoyed her classical training, her interests were pulled elsewhere.

"I got involved with a jazz band in junior high school and really fell in love with big band music and jazz and how to improvise," she said. "Although I continued my classical studies, I was drawn to that sound."

After earning her Bachelors Degree in jazz at Berklee College of Music in Boston and her Masters at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, York continued her musical education outside the classroom setting.

"It doesn't really happen where you graduate and then you get a job like other jobs," York said. "Its kind of something where there is a certain amount you can learn in the classroom and there's a certain amount you just have to have on the job training. When you're working with musicians who are more experienced then you are, it kind of builds on your musicianship you learn in school, the theory and everything, and when you actually have to go out there and work and learn music and learn quickly, its kind of like your internship."

York continued to pursue her dream after graduation and has since been invited to play a number of memorable venues including the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Knoxville Jazz Festival and the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, where she took first place in the Great American Jazz Piano Competition; a professional accomplishment she considers one of her greatest.

In addition to performing on a regular basis, York has experienced success as a recording artist; having produced two albums, "Blue York" and "The Way of Time," which feature not only jazz standards with a contemporary twist but also some of her own original compositions. As a musician only in her thirties, York hopes to bring youthful originality to the genre.

"Even though they might have some elements of older styles of jazz, my music is definitely contemporary. I think you can bring elements of who you are and the age of music you grew up in to your jazz improvisation," York said. "I may take an older song like 'Fascinated Rhythms' by Gershwin which was written in the 1930s but the way I interpret it is kind of an upgraded Latin arrangement. We know the tradition but we're looking ahead as well."

Although she currently resides in Houston, York considers her return to the Inland Empire as somewhat of a homecoming, as she was once a resident of Escondido and played a regular gig at the Temecula Creek Inn in the late 90s.

York returns to Temecula to headline tonight's installment of the Jazz at The Merc concert series. She will be joined by Los Angeles musicians Steve Barnes on drums and bassist Kristin Korb. Their performance will include some of York's original music as well as selections from the Great American Songbook including compositions by Cole Porter and George Gershwin.

"You can say the same thing about these composers as you can about classic literature. They are still relevant and they still have something to say that speaks to every generation," York said. "I feel like there is still something to be said for their compositions and putting a fresh twist on them today."

Pamela York

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15

Where: The Merc, Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula

Tickets: $15

Info: (866) 653-8696