Years active 1979–1988 Genre Vocal | Active from 1978 | |
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Past members Gaile GillaspieMaryLynn GillaspieMarguerite JuenemannTodd BuffaBarbara ReevesJamie Broumas Albums New Weave, American Eyes, Black & Blue Similar Todd Buffa, Harry James, Morgan, Marion, Mondo Kane | ||
Rare silk red clay
Rare Silk was an American vocal jazz group that was active during the 1980s.
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MaryLynn Gillaspie and her sister, Gaile, grew up in southern California. Their father played trumpet, and from an early age they heard big band music and Ella Fitzgerald. In 1978, they were working as waitresses in Boulder, Colorado, with Gaile also singing at a local club. After they met another singer, Marguerite Juenemann, they formed Rare Silk. They sang on a local radio station and in clubs, sometimes dressed like the Andrews Sisters.
In 1980, they were the opening act for Benny Goodman when he visited Boulder. He admired their work and asked them to tour with him. They sang at the Boston Globe Jazz Festival, which was broadcast live on PBS. The tour included dates at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Aurex Jazz Festival in Japan. After their tour, they were joined by vocalist Todd Buffa.
They were discovered by a talent scout from Polydor Records and recorded their first album, New Weave, in 1983. This album was nominated for two Grammy Awards. Two more albums followed, and the band broke up in 1988.
Argot rare silk
Songs
New York AfternoonNew Weave · 1983
Red ClayNew Weave · 1983
Xenobian Love SongBlack & Blue · 2013