Conversations with Rose Mallett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Mallett. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Rose Mallett was born in Chicago, Illinois. Rose began singing in elementary school as a part of the school chorus. Rose’s family relocated to Los Angeles in 1960.

At the age of 16, Rose formed an R&B singing group with three girlfriends. The group was discovered by the R&B singing duo Sam & Dave, who offered them an opportunity to record a demo at Capitol Records. Once the demo was completed, they were offered a recording contract.

Years later, Rose was introduced to Marvin Gaye. Through that association, Rose was often the guest of Marvin’s during recording sessions at Motown and witnessed great songs in the making such as “What’s Going On” and “Sexual Healing.” That exposure led to a working relationship with Motown producer Hal Davis, who gave Rose the opportunity to sing recording demos of songs he had written to pitch to already-signed female artists at Motown.

• Rose sings professionally in various nightclubs across the U.S. – as well as acting in musical theatre productions.

• In Las Vegas, she performed at the Riviera and MGM Grand Hotels with Ben Vereen and Susan Anton.

• Rose has done musical voice-overs for several movies, to include song “I Never Think of You” featured in movie “Now and Then” a New Line Cinema film starring Christina Ricci, Demi Moore, Rosie O’Donnell, and Melanie Griffith.

• Rose appeared as herself in a singing role in “Guinevere” a Miramax film starring Stephen Rea.

• Recorded “America the Beautiful” for audio presentation on Public Television stations KQED/San Francisco and KPBS/San Diego — Corporate Contract with Union Bank of California.

• CD “Building Dreams” and single “Send in the Clowns” available iTunes/Amazon.com

• Currently a regular performer in Palm Springs: Purple Room-Tuesdays; Vicky’s of Santa Fe-Saturdays. Performance Calendar Details: RoseMallett.com

• Stars in her own one-woman theatrical tribute to Sarah Vaughan, “Songs of Sarah”.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I and two girlfriends sang together as an R&B group at the age of 16 at high school events. We were discovered by renowned R&B duo, Sam and Dave, who encouraged us. They took us to Capitol Records to record a demo; then were offered a contract. On the day of the recording, Lou Rawls and Martha Reeves (of the Vandellas) were in the studio who enthusiastically gave us a thumbs up! My girlfriends were biological sisters. Their mother was excited to co-sign for them. However, my mother decided to take the offer under consideration to my church pastor for counsel. I sang in the church junior choir at the time. He said that I either had to sing for the Lord or the Devil. The Lord won. In hindsight, I’m glad. I was so young and naive…

For many years, I did not pursue singing as a career. I continued to sing in church. As an adult, one day, looking for an escape from an abusive domestic partner, I stumbled upon The Inner City Cultural Center, a community theater in Los Angeles. I began singing in theatrical musicals such as “Ain’t Misbehavin”. After that, opportunities just organically manifested themselves.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a jazz vocalist. I retired from being an executive assistance at a bank in the public relations department after 20 years, at the age of 60. I am now 75. After singing at various venues throughout Los Angeles, my career ultimately found a home base in the Coachella Valley, CA. I currently have two weekly Palm Springs area residencies at premier venues, accompanied by a trio of wonderful musicians at both locations, piano, bass, and drums: The Purple Room Supper Club (since 2015), and Vicky’s of Santa Fe (seven years).

I’ve really been blessed to have begun a relationship of singing at various venues in the area since 2012. It all started (organically) by filling in for someone at the Spotlight 29 Casino; then being offered an ongoing weekly gig there. Afterward, singing several years at the Fantasy Springs and Resort Casino. It’s been a continual exciting growth.

I sing jazz because it allows me to be musically uninhibited and interpretive…not a replication of someone else. I am most influenced by the styles of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne. On that note, I have created my own One-Woman theatrical production, “Songs of Sarah”, a tribute to the life and music of Sarah Vaughan, where I actually portray her…not just singing her songs. I am most proud of my New York debut at the Triad Theater several years ago, which received wonderful reviews. I’m looking forward to taking the show nationally/internationally in the near future. Scatting is also a love of mine.

What sets me apart? I was lucky to have been coached by a most talented performance coach, Phil Moore, who once also coached Dorothy Dandridge and Marilyn Monroe at Universal Studios back in the day. His instruction taught me not only how to embrace the stage, but also how to arrive at making a song “mine” by diving down deep into the meaning of the lyric and personalizing it to my life experience by creating a backstory…who am I; who am I singing to and why; where am I?…and so on. The songs are no longer ‘just words’; they have ‘an in-depth life and a passion’. That’s what you hear when I sing…at least, that’s my aim.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up in Chicago, IL. Elementary school was my first introduction to singing in the 4th grade. I was selected to sing in the school chorus. It was then that I fell in love with the stage during school performances.

In Junior High, I sang in a classroom talent show. The kids laughed at me. I was so nervous…my voice was quivering. The song I chose was not very popular in my community, where R&B was prolific. It was a folk song. I guess I was pretty nerdy. In my mind, the lyric had merit…”Green Fields” by the Brothers Four…sort of like the Everly Brothers. Gosh, I still remember the song. LOL

I don’t know if it qualifies as a ‘favorite memory’, but it certainly was a pivotal moment in my life…being shunned while being so sincerely connected to the song.

Contact Info:

• Website: rosemallett.com
• Instagram: @rosemallett
• Facebook: Rose Mallett
• Youtube: Rose Mallett