Presenter Q&A: Natalie Douglas’s Favorite Songs
Award-winning singer Natalie Douglas is renowned for her nuanced interpretations of the Great American Songbook, spotlighting some of the exemplary performers (Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone) and pivotal places where audiences encountered the music.
We asked singer Natalie Douglas what songs she’s performed that are of personal significance to her and why. Take a listen:
"SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR" BY DUKE ELLINGTON & BILLY STRAYHORN
Douglas: I first heard Joe Williams sing this song with the Count Basie Orchestra when I was very small. His utter mastery held the audience spellbound and I decided then and there I wanted to do that! And Strayhorn wrote the poem upon which the song is based when he was 18!
Listen to Duke Ellington sing “Something to Live For” by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn.
"ALWAYS" BY IRVING BERLIN
Douglas: My mother used to sing this song to me. It’s so simple & yet utterly complete. I think that’s one of Berlin’s particular gifts. His words are plain, but they express the full range of human emotions, i.e. “How Deep Is The Ocean,” “White Christmas,” “What’ll I Do?”
Listen to Ella Fitzgerald sing “Always” by Irving Berlin.
"BEWITCHED, BOTHERED & BEWILDERED" BY RICHARD RODGERS & LORENZ HART
Douglas: Always loved the song since I heard Lena Horne sing it in her one woman Broadway show, but fell even more in love with it when a friend gave me the original show lyrics. It’s just so lush!
Listen to Sarah Vaughan sing ”Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered” by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart.
"WOODSTOCK" BY JONI MITCHELL
Douglas: Partly because I wanted to grow up to be a hippie, I loved everything about the idea of Woodstock - but more importantly, I love the image Mitchell wrote about us being made of stardust. It’s scientifically true, but it’s also a gorgeous image. It gives me hope we’ll eventually shine no matter how dark any given moment might be.
Listen to Joni Mitchell perform “Woodstock.”
"YOU'LL NEVER KNOW" BY HARRY WARREN & MACK GORDON
Douglas: This is the first song I ever learned when I was four years old. My mom taught it to me, suggesting I rehearse it in my room (leaving her free to get on with her work and making dinner) and promising me if I rehearsed well enough, I’d be able to perform it for her & Dad at dinner. I did and this singer was born! As I always say, this is the reason why other girls wanted to play “Charlie’s Angels” on the playground, whilst I was busy playing, “Alice Faye.”
Listen to Nat King Cole singing “You’ll Never Know” by Harry Warren & Mack Gordon.
Eleven-time Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs Winner, Natalie Douglas, has been called “a true force of nature,” by Clive Davis of The Times (UK). She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Cafe Carlyle, The Town Hall, Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Pheasantry in London, and at Birdland Jazz Club where her award-winning TRIBUTES monthly residency (Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Elvis, Dolly Parton, Nat “King” Cole, Dame Shirley Bassey, Ella Fitzgerald, Roberta Flack and more) is now in it’s fourth year. She has released three albums, including the MAC Award Winning “Human Heart. Natalie has also made her mark as a much sought after educator & actor, is the Mabel Mercer Foundation Master Teacher and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from USC in Psychology, Theatre and Women’s Studies and a Master's Degree from UCLA in Psychology and Theatre.
header image: Unsplash
Watch Natalie Douglas's CHF Program!
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