The voice speaks of experience, life and philosophies; sings of love, the earth, birds and babies.
Tonight at 8 p.m. in Spaulding, the woman, along with her group -- Marc Cary on piano, Terreon Gully on drums, John Ormond on bass -- will perform at Dartmouth College. In her style and the presence she brings to the stage, one will be able to observe Abbey Lincoln's life through words and music.
Often compared to Billie Holiday, the singer said in an interview with The Dartmouth that "we're not sisters, but we look alike ... she has a sound that really goes to my soul, without anything vain ... just honest, an honest sound. She told stories, I see myself as a storyteller. And also a socially conscience performer, as Billie was, singing 'Strange Fruit.'"
Abbey Lincoln's newest release, "Wholly Earth" (1998) is the work of an artist who is very much "waxing" while others, at this point in their careers might be expected to be "waning," as Lincoln put it.
She explained that there is a "storyline for each CD collection ... a comment on the ways of people." Starting with "And It's Supposed To Be Love," the collection does indeed make its comments on people, society and the world surrounding us. "I'm always trying to live here, survive a life," Lincoln said about her inspiration. "I find the easiest and most rewardng way is to practice the arts."
Abbey Lincoln, though possibly just hitting her stride, is not new to the world of performance. Born Anna Maria Wooldridge, in the early 1950s, she performed as Gaby Lee in Hawaii night clubs. In 1956 she was renamed Abbey Lincoln -- in reference to the U.S. President who abolished slavery.
Moving into the 1960s, Lincoln married drummer Max Roach and became active in the civil rights movement. A chance for acting stardom came, but she let it go: "all my life I've been a singer. I never saw myself as an actress ... I'm not available to act out anything ... where in music I can choose what I want to sing. I am expected to be honest, that is what I love about this form [jazz]."
Nevertheless, Lincoln did accept certain acting roles, and after her last film, "For the Love of Ivy,"(1968) co-starring Sidney Poitier, Lincoln "started to paint, write poetry. I did a lot of it for serenity."
What she at one time was doing for herself, the world now has the opportunity to enjoy. A sturdy and impressive presence even over the phone, Lincoln is in her prime. Not only a jazz singer, but an artist who writes and composes much of her own work. A talented rarity.
