INTERVIEW: Duchess prepare for Hot Summer Nights! concert in Brooklyn
Photo: Duchess consists of Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner and Melissa Stylianou, and they will perform Saturday, July 7 as part of Hot Summer Nights! Photo courtesy of Shervin Lainez / Provided by GOGO PR with permission.
Brooklyn is a borough that enjoys the outdoors in the summer months, and On Stage at Kingsborough College is getting in on the fun. Their annual Hot Summer Nights! series continues Saturday, July 7 with a free concert from Duchess, a trio featuring Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner and Melissa Stylianou.
Duchess is a group that has staked its claim on the sounds of yesteryear. They celebrate the music of the Andrews Sisters and Boswell Sisters, singing such classics as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Heebie Jeebies.”
Cervini recently exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox and gave a preview of what audience members can expect at the Saturday concert, which takes place at Kingsborough Community College’s Lighthouse Bandshell. Gates open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
When did you start singing with Hilary Gardner and Melissa Stylianou?
I met Hilary in early 2000s when we were in a vocal group together and Melissa a few years later when she moved to NYC. I had sung duets with both of them separately. I have a monthly residency at a great place in NYC called The 55 Bar, and I’m able to workshop new projects and my husband, composer/producer/arranger Oded Lev-Ari, suggested that I try a night of three-part harmony with Hilary and Melissa. The show was in November 2013. We prepared enough material for one set and did it twice. We had a natural chemistry both personally and musically, and it was clear to us from that first show that we had something special and should keep it going.
What can fans expect at your July 7 concert in Brooklyn?
A Duchess show is always full of surprises and a whole lot of fun. We are paying tribute to the Great American Songbook and singing some favorite Boswell and Andrews Sisters hits to celebrate July 4. Bring your dancing shows, and get ready to have a great time.
When did you realize singing would become a profession for you?
I was actually a saxophone player in college and a classical pianist before that, so singing was actually the last thing I thought I would be doing until I graduated from New England Conservatory in Boston. I knew from a fairly young age that I was going to be a musician, but the instrument changed a few times over the years!
Who are some of your influences?
As a member of Duchess, my primary influence is The Boswell Sisters. I also grew up singing in vocal jazz groups and was highly influenced by groups like The Manhattan Transfer and The New York Voices. My favorite singer has always been Blossom Dearie and my favorite saxophonist, Paul Desmond.
What’s the toughest part of the music industry (touring, recording, etc.) in 2018?
The industry is changing very quickly, and it’s hard to keep up. The price of doing business (travel, recording, promotion) has increased a lot even since I started, yet people are willing to pay less and less to buy music or see live shows. I’ve been astonished lately [of] the number of people who don’t even own CD players any more. It’s definitely keeping us all on our toes.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Duchess will perform as part of On Stage at Kingsborough College’s Hot Summer Nights! Saturday, July 7 at 8 p.m. Admission is free. The college is located at 2001 Oriental Blvd. in Brooklyn. Click here for more information.
