The feel-good power of music Jazz singer combines

Passion And Purpose

BY OLIVIA GUTHRIE

WhileNew Orleans is credited for birthing jazz in the early twentieth century, the danceable music genre spread around the world. The globally celebrated sound sparked passion in singer Mari McNeil, who now shares it with residents of senior living facilities in Western New York.

McNeil was aware of her vocal talent from a young age and sang recreationally in school choir and even as the lead for a gospel band. “My father was amazed when he heard me harmonizing to a song on a record at age nine,” says McNeil, who spent three decades as a graphic designer in the corporate world before exploring singing possibilities by hiring a vocal coach and pianist, then making the jump. “I left my marketing career, and I took it public, singing in bars, restaurants, and clubs – mostly singing the Great American Songbook.” Club singing kept McNeil busy for a few years but then, “About ten years ago, I sang at my mother’s retirement home, and I loved it!” Not only was she provided an “appreciative” audience, but she didn’t have to stay out late! It didn’t take McNeil long to discover that there was a market; more than ninety senior living facilities hired McNeil before the pandemic hit. Although business for nearly all sectors has minimized since then, she is working toward filling up her schedule again.

McNeil performs for a range of audiences and residences she describes as “urban, suburban, rural, disadvantaged, and high-income facilities.” She curates set lists based on the type of living facility, the residents’ ages, and the area of the location, and she always prepares more songs than she needs to accommodate the residents’ tastes extemporaneously—and even take requests. “I’ve been surprised at requests I’ve gotten,” she says, “but later learned to love, for example, ‘Crazy,’ by Patsy Cline, and ‘These Boots Are Made for Walking,’ by Nancy Sinatra.” McNeil’s career provides her with more than a paycheck; she fulfills her passion for jazz singing while positively impacting seniors in her community.

“My job is a kind of music therapy,” she says, noting that’s especially true for residents receiving memory care.

“I bring them back to a happier time in their lives; I remember one woman who hadn’t spoken for a year but sang along to, ‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart.’”

The benefits to senior audiences are not just psychological, but also physical, as they are singing and dancing, which can help boost healing and happiness.

“In our culture, we don’t sing or dance nearly enough,” McNeil notes.

“I’m dancing and singing, giving the audiences permission to clap and sing themselves, and even dance if they feel like it.” While people may not consider singing exercise, McNeil reminds that it is—“both of the mind and body.”

But audiences don’t care about that; they love it as much as McNeil does.

“I’ve cut four CDs, I’ve sung at the Lewiston Jazz Festival, and in some of the nicest restaurants and clubs in Western New York,” she says, “but this is by far the best job I’ve ever had.” FY

Olivia is a civil rights investigator and freelance writer based in Buffalo, NY. She is a contributor to Buffalo Spree and Forever Young. contact@oliviaguthrie. com