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Mary Ellen Desmond

A classically trained vocalist, Mary Ellen made her professional debut in 1988 by performing operatic arias at Philadelphia art openings. Simultaneously she was pursuing an interest in Country & Western music by singing with local bands of this genre for five years, until she settled in her niche within the jazz repertoire. Her father played guitar and banjo in society orchestras featuring popular and jazz standards during the 1940s and 1950s and as a child she grew up listening to this music around the house. She has been performing professionally as a jazz vocalist for over twenty years and considers herself very fortunate to be working with accomplished Philadelphia-based jazz musicians such as pianist Tom Lawton, bassist Lee Smith, tenor sax men Larry McKenna & Robert "Bootsie" Barnes, guitarist Michael Kennedy, and trumpeter John Swana.

Originally from Westfield, NJ, Philadelphia has been her home for nearly thirty years. She attended the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and studied privately with operatic soprano Judith Rosenfeld. Later on she continued studying jazz piano, and studied briefly with Grammy nominated jazz vocalist Janet Lawson and Philadelphia's Anne Sciolla. Ms. Desmond's local club appearances include performances at Ortlieb's Jazz Haus, Chris' Jazz Café, The Philadelphia Four Seasons Hotel, The Showboat Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Philadelphia & New Jersey area Jazz Vesper services, and various restaurants in the Phila / NJ area. In October of 2001 she accepted an invitation to perform for two weeks in Nagano, Japan, where she has returned since to perform. In December of that same year she was the opening act for Patti LaBelle at a Toys For Tots sponsored event in New Jersey. In May, 2003, she released a Tribute CD to Peggy Lee & Rosemary Clooney with another Philadelphia jazz vocalist Meg Clifton. This project granted them the honor and opportunity to perform as the opening act for Linda Ronstadt at The 5th Annual Rosemary Clooney Music Festival in Ms. Clooney's hometown of Maysville, KY. The Tribute CD also placed them on the roster of The Sonny Costanzo 2003-2004 Concert Series at Quinnipiac University in CT where they held a date scheduled between those held by Jane Monheit and Karrin Allyson. For several summers she has returned to her hometown to perform in their locally sponsored jazz festival, Westfield NJ's "Sweet Sounds Downtown."

Ms. Desmond's debut CD in 1998, Darn That Dream, was chosen as a top ten Critic's Pick in Cadence Magazine's 1999 Record Poll. Amongst critics and her contemporaries it is agreed that she is very capable of a successful crossover between jazz & classical styles. She feels that each genre enhances the other in regards to physical stamina, skill, flexibility, and emotive expression.

Mary Ellen Desmond: Comfort and Joy 2023

by Victor L. Schermer
December 16, 2023

Mary Ellen Desmond and Friends Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany Philadelphia, PA December 10, 2023 This was the twentieth consecutive year that Mary Ellen Desmond has led her “Comfort and Joy" holiday concert in the sanctuary of Philadelphia's Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany. The annual live and sometimes livestreamed show has weathered and survived the COVID pandemic and other difficulties in its path because it provides uniquely and ...

Live Review

Mary Ellen Desmond: Comfort and Joy 2022 at the Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany

by Victor L. Schermer
December 21, 2022

Mary Ellen Desmond Comfort and Joy Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany Philadelphia, PA December 12, 2022 In the course of the years, it has always been a pleasure to hear Mary Ellen Desmond sing, and for the past seventeen of those years, her special seasonal musical offering has been the Comfort and Joy holiday concert which she initiated and for which serves as featured vocalist. This year the ...

Live Review

Mary Ellen Desmond: Comfort and Joy 2021

by Victor L. Schermer
December 18, 2021

Mary Ellen Desmond Comfort and Joy Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany Philadelphia, PA December 12, 2021 Mary Ellen Desmond is one of the most treasured Philadelphia-based vocalists, and for more than a decade she has provided the inspiration for and fronted the same top of the line quartet (Larry McKenna on tenor saxophone; Tom Lawton, piano; Lee Smith, bass; and Dan Monaghan, drums), for the annual Comfort and ...

Live Review

Mary Ellen Desmond: Comfort and Joy 2020 Virtual Stream

by Victor L. Schermer
December 19, 2020

Mary Ellen Desmond Comfort and Joy: Virtual Stream Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany Philadelphia, PA December 13, 2020 In the course of two decades as a jazz reviewer in Philadelphia, it has often been my pleasure to hear Mary Ellen Desmond sing, and for the past seventeen of those years, in addition to her club dates and recordings, her special seasonal musical offering has consisted of the Comfort ...

Live Review

Mary Ellen Desmond: Comfort and Joy 2019 at the Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany

by Victor L. Schermer
December 26, 2019

Mary Ellen Desmond Comfort and Joy Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany Philadelphia, PA December 10, 2019 In the course of my years as a jazz reviewer in Philadelphia, it has always been a pleasure to hear Mary Ellen Desmond sing, and for the past sixteen of those years, her special seasonal musical offering has consisted of the Comfort and Joy holiday concert. This year the tradition continued. ...

Live Review

Mary Ellen Desmond: Comfort and Joy at St. Luke's Church

by Victor L. Schermer
December 21, 2018

Mary Ellen Desmond Comfort and Joy Church of St.Luke and the Epiphany Philadelphia, PA December 16, 2018 Mary Ellen Desmond is one of the most treasured Philadelphia-based vocalists, and for the last fifteen years she has provided the inspiration for and fronted the same top of the line quartet (Larry McKenna on tenor saxophone; Tom Lawton, piano; Lee Smith, bass; and Dan Monaghan, drums) for the annual Comfort and Joy ...

Live Review

Mary Ellen Desmond with the Victor North Quintet at Chris’ Jazz Café

by Victor L. Schermer
February 7, 2018

Mary Ellen Desmond with the Victor North Quintet Chris' Jazz Cafe Philadelphia, PA February 3, 2018 It was the Saturday night before the Superbowl kickoff, and the crowds were out and about in Philadelphia with a “Go Eagles" attitude. A full house crowded into Chris' Jazz Café to hear their vocalist pride, Mary Ellen Desmond with the solid backing of tenor saxophonist Victor North's Quintet including the venerable John Swana on trumpet and valve trombone, ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mary Ellen Desmond

Source: Michael Ricci
May 20, 2022

All About Jazz is celebrating Mary Ellen Desmond's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mary Ellen Desmond

Source: Michael Ricci
May 20, 2021

All About Jazz is celebrating Mary Ellen Desmond's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mary Ellen Desmond

Source: Michael Ricci
May 20, 2020

All About Jazz is celebrating Mary Ellen Desmond's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Mary Ellen Desmond

Source: Michael Ricci
May 20, 2019

Event

Vocalist Mary Ellen Desmond Brings Comfort And Joy To Philadelphia And The World

Source: Victor L. Schermer
December 23, 2013

Mary Ellen Desmond, revered jny: Philadelphia vocalist, has brought her “Comfort and Joy” holiday benefit concert to the Church of St. Luke and the Ephiphany for several years now. This year, she has also released a newly minted CD by the same name with the same stellar backup group: Larry McKenna, tenor saxophone; Tom Lawton, piano; Lee Smith, bass; and Dan Monaghan, drums. On December 20, Desmond held a CD release party at Chris’ Jazz Cafe, showcasing many of the ...
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