Gayle Cloud at Ballard Jam House

Egan's Ballard Jam House

Thursday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.

1707 N.W. Market St.

$15 cover

By Jack Mayne

She was a very competent public relations person who radiated cheer and competence. When I knew Gayle Cloud in the late 1990s, I was editor of what was then the only statewide magazine in the state, Washington CEO, and Gayle would come around once in a while seeking us to do stories on her clients.

Often we did, because Gayle had good, solid clients that were a benefit to our business audience.

Then one day she announced she was selling her Pike Place Market offices, dispersing her staff and would soon move to Paris.

"My kids are raised and it is time for me to live my life a bit more," I remember her saying over a goodbye dinner. That was the last time I saw or spoke to Gayle Cloud until last May.

"This is a call from your past," she began. We had lunch and she frankly stunned me with her news.

Gayle Cloud was not a lounge singer. That stopped me cold. None of us in her former world knew of this talent and only a few of us knew she could carry a tune, let alone transfix an audience with her voice.

Her coming out in Seattle debut was at Egan's Ballard Jam House in June. Several of us who knew Gayle when, were there, and most I spoke with were as amazed as I was.

But the amazement began in earnest when she took the small state in the compact room and began to sing.

Now, I am definitely not a competent reviewer of vocal acts, of any kind. But I love music and remember some of the famous torch singers.

But, Gayle Cloud transfixed me.

In the past months she has appeared several times at Eagan's Ballard Jam House and other formats and has gained wide professional compliments for her work. She write most of the songs she sings.

Tomorrow, Gayle and her band will be performing songs from her recently released CD, "Second Chance," along with some of her new compositions which was produced and arranged by New York Producer/Musician John Pahmer.

But some of the comments from those who have heard her sing, resonate with me the most.

One said, rightfully in my opinion, "You have an absolutely magnificent voice - what style and range." Or, "Your music is very moving and often it brings tears to my eyes."

She has a lot of guts to get out there and put her heart and soul into a performance before strangers. Take it from someone who has sort of known her for a long time, she is definately worth the time and the friendly atmosphere of Egan's will enhance her performance.

Jack Mayne is an editor, not a music reviewer, and can be contacted at jmayne@robinsonnews.com