dolores

STRONG Dolores Scozzesi is an original. She can sing just about anything and doesn't limit herself to a particular musical genre. Like Nina Simone she is jazzy, bluesy and yet can sing light opera. Currently she's focusing on her jazz chops. Dolores has been singing since she was 2 1/2. (At that early age, her mom would sit her on a piano and she would sing "Just my Bill"). She was born in New York City and spent her very early years in Atlantic City New Jersey, when you could still smell the ocean. Her family moved to Queens and Dolores was the lead singer in her singing group (in the schoolyard). Her first public appearance was at the Plaza Inn when the Tymes were appearing there. She was 16 and her friends threw her onstage. She opened her mouth and sang: "He's Gone". From then on, whenever the Tymes performed there, they called her name and brought her up to sit in with them. When she was 18 she moved to New York City and lived on Central Park West and 68th Street beneath Richie Havens' percussionist. She studied acting in N.Y. at the Lee Strasberg Institute and in Los Angeles with Aaron Speiser. She studied Improvisation with the Groundlings, also in L.A. She didn't pursue singing seriously until she met Phil Moore after he moved back to Hollywood, "where he cranked out record after record backing countless singers, from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe. . .". Working with Phil, Dolores studied the Great American Songbook, and always loved obscure and unusual songs, like "Strange Feeling" by Billy Strayhorne. She sang in Los Angeles at the famous Improvisation Room in between acts like Robin Williams and Jay Leno when they needed a singer and opened for Tom Dreesen. She sang in the famous "Belly Room" at the Comedy Store. She also appeared in her cabaret acts in Los Angeles at the Rose Tattoo, the Gardenia (always with a different theme, "Mothers and Daughters", "November's Eyes", "From Sting to Sondheim", etc.), Englebert's (no longer in WEHO), Cafe Melrose (also no longer in WEHO), The Cinegrill one of Los Angeles' famous haunts in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel(even at their closing night with "Lotta Trouble" before they reopened), Cabaret Nosotros, The Belage 10/20, to name a few. The Hollywood Reporter commented, “Hats off to Cabaret Nosotros for introducing me to the fabulous Dolores Kelly! (her old stage name) This incredible blues singer had the crowd begging for more . . . she has a way with a song that is all her own, and her voice is spell-binding! Her dazzling stage presence and sultry voice are sure to make for an unforgettable evening." She starred in Paul Horner's "Suddenly It's Summer", at the Melrose Theatre. Dramalogue reviewed her as "Willowy Dolores Kelly lends her smokily dramatic mezzo soprano voice and arresting presence to the second act opener." Polly Warfield, L.A. Times, "Go to sleep feverishly sung by Dolores Kelly & Marc Allen Trujillo", Don Shirley. Michael Feinstein heard her rendition of Paul Horner's "Song" from this show and decided to record it for his album. Eventually, Dolores, always the romantic, fell in love with and married a French man and sang in many small jazz rooms throughout Lyon, France. While on her way to Paris to perform with her jazz trio, she found out she was pregnant with their lovely daughter, Sophia. Putting family first, Dolores moved back to the states to raise her daughter, and put her music aside. Even though her marriage ended, she has no regrets. It was an immensely romantic period of her life wherein she learned many pertinent lessons which she applied to her art.After her daughter grew up, Dolores continued her cabaret appearances. Her most recent jazz gig was this July at the Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill. However, her most recent and memorable appearance was with the fabulous Stevie Wonder when he appeared in a spontaneous performance in Century City. She just sang one song, "Natural Woman". Again, she wowed the crowd. Some things never change. "Lady Haig" Rutan, famous author of "Death of a Bebop Wife" wrote upon hearing her, ". . .I want to listen again, but I want to remember the pure intelligent scarf of mystery who has been down my avenues of joy, heartbreak and wonder; your joi de vivre is in the mix and I felt it at the elegance of your voicing, your pronunciation and yet you still have that savvy strut." She is currently working on her one woman show to be performed this February 13 at Hollywood's famous GARDENIA RESTAURANT AND NIGHTCLUB, entitled "STUCK IN THE '60'S", wherein she will be performing songs written by composers of that time period sung, only as DOLORES SCOZZESI can do them, in her own jazzy, original style.