JAMES STRECKER: Please tell us what you want the public to know about your recent completed project or the one you are actively working on. What is it, why is it, and how was/is it done?
ALEX PANGMAN: My upcoming release is a pair of singles to honour the late great singer Connee Boswell. Boswell was part of the seminal sister singing act and cult favourite, the Boswell Sisters. She went on to record a solo career, selling millions. Connee was the inspiration for Ella Fitzgerald to sing at the Apollo when Ella was discovered! In short, Connee is one of the great fine jazz voices and influencers of the last 100 years. I was lucky enough to meet a grand-niece of hers, who gifted to me a beautiful set of the singer’s stage gloves, and some hand written sheet music of an original Connee Boswell composition which had never before been recorded. I am delighted to say that is no longer the case! With violinist Drew Jurecka, and guitarist Nathan Hiltz I have now sung this song into a microphone, recorded for posterity. It was recorded in one room with no baffles, in much the same way that Connie would have recorded. The song, entitled, “If I Don’t Mean It” will be released on December 3rd, Connee’s birthday! A second song from her solo career catalogue will follow in the new year.
JS: What kind of audience will this project interest? What new audience are you also seeking? Why to both questions?
AP: Certainly, jazz geeks and vocal music fans! Completists, sentimentalists, and acoustic music fans.
JS: In what ways was/is this project easy to do and in what ways was/is it difficult to realize? How long did it take or is it taking and why that long?
AP: It took me over a year to pluck up the nerve to record this song: I wanted it to be just perfect. As such, I probably did more takes of this tune than any other in my recorded history because I just wanted the greatest take to honour the great lady! (This is also complicated by doing the session in an un-separated room so we needed it all in one take.) What was different is that usually I’m rehearsing and arranging a song I’ve heard on recording. Apart from the odd original I’ve written, I’ve never before taken a song from scratch and worked it up. It was fun to massage the tune in the studio and literally hear this song coming to life as we played.
JS: How are you planning to promote, market, and sell this project to the public?
AP: This will be a digital only release, so look for ways to purchase it digitally through Justin Time Records and their publicity dept. Word has it that exclusive in studio video footage survives from our summertime session as a compliment to the release.
JS: Please give us a brief autobiography, some stuff about yourself, that is relevant to this project.
AP: I’m a melodic singer of jazz from the 20s 30s and 40s. Pre bop. I don’t scat unless I forget the words. This is why Connie’s elegant delivery appeals to me. I’m so delighted to carry the torch and record her in the digital age for the next generation to hear.
JS: What’s next in your creative life?
AP: Every Friday this month at the Rex Hotel 4-6pm with the Hogtown Syncopaters! We’ll actually be doing a version of the Boswell Sisters’ Heebie Jeebies all month in three-part vocal harmony.