"The Other Side of the River" by Phyllis Chapell, performed in Wallingford, PA

I got to know Phyllis Chapell through local jazz label owner Jerry Gordon and at a couple of fundraisers where we both were performing under different billings.  She has a delightfully varied repertoire which allows her to sing all over the Delaware Valley with a variety of ensembles without a lot of repetition.  She writes songs too, which are delightfully positive, despite the tragedies she’s faced.  It is great to see her out and about again now that COVID has loosened its grip.  According to her website bio:

“Phyllis has spent her life developing a universal musical style singing “world songs.” Her repertoire includes songs in 13 languages from Brazil, Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as American folk, jazz, originals and popular music. Phyllis Chapell has been named as one of the top 500 jazz vocalists of all time by Scott Yanow (Down Beat, Jazz Times and AllMusicGuide).  She has also won song competitions for her original music; and was chosen to be one of Indie-Music’s Top 25.

She started out as a solo performer on vocals/guitar, and then began a collaboration with a brilliant pianist/composer/arranger named Dan Kleiman in the mid-90’s. They formed an ensemble called SIORA and spent the next 15 years performing, recording and writing together. Dan died suddenly in 2010…and then, another loss, in 2012—the death of Phyllis’ husband, Dr. Mark Chapell, a Professor of Psychology at Rowan University.”

Founded in 1948, the Community Arts Center in Wallingford is housed in an amazing mansion that was built in 1889 with a carriage house (not a garage!) 37 years before Route One was established 1500 feet from its front door on Baltimore Pike.  Originally called “The Gables”, the home was designed by Theophilus Parson Chandler, Jr. (1845 – 1923) who was the President of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects.  His clients were Ida Elizabeth Dixon (1854-1916)  and Henry Paschall Dixon (1847-1917), a Quaker businessman.  Ida Dixon is reported to be the first female golf course designer in the world!  The Arts Center sponsors year-round concerts and exhibitions and offers classes in the visual, and sculptural arts, crafts, yoga and dance on a four acre campus.