- Freebody Park -

Judy, Newport, Jazz - Winners
  By Phil Strassberg, The New York Mirror

Remember the coffee klatsch I mentioned the other day? It was nothing compared with Monday's "An Afternoon with Judy Garland," when she drew about 6,000 into her vast living room (Freebody Park) and proceeded to pour such sparkling spirits of song that they'll have a heady feeling for a long time.

She told me: "It was like a giant living room with the windows open."

You see, this titanic trouper had never before worked outdoors during daylight.

It also marked the initial occasion that the rosy-cheeked Garland of the rosy-hued vocals was directly involved with a jazz festival. Though the afternoon was hers completely, other performers were of the jazz aristocracy, such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louise Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Maynard Ferguson, Dave Brubeck, George Shearing, Gerry Mulligan, etc.

"It was different working outdoors during the day," Judy stated. "I felt a little uncomfortable at the outset but warmed up after a few numbers."

"They were a wonderful audience."

She wasn't concerned about it being a Jazz festival because "I always go out to do the best show I can. In fact, I heard that the musicians out front and backstage liked my jazz numbers."

A little impatient at first, after waiting from 3 p.m. until nearly 4:30 for things to get under way, the listeners warmed up quickly when Judy bounced onto the stage in a brief blue sheath and flowered blue-and-white jacket with matching blue pumps, and turned on the charm with 'When You're Smiling.' She carried the audience with her, some 5,500 people, expectant, some people even critical at first, into mood after mood, making them laugh with her, exult with her, mourn with her - a monuental assignment for any singer.

It would be idle to pretend that Judy's voice is the smooth, clear controlled instrument it was when America's moviegoers first fell in love with her, but it has increased depth and power and great emotional appeal. And when momentarily it fails her, her spirit falters not at all, and the song goes on undiminished in impact There is something very gallant about this Judy, as was clear at once when she began by jibing at her own avoirupois.

She sang 'Almost Like Being In Love,' 'Do It Again,' 'Born to Wander,' and 'Alone Together.' Then she called on "nine wonderful men who play excellent jazz" from the 30 - man orchestra which accompanies her, and swung into the mood of the outdoor festival with 'Who Cares?' 'Puttin on the Ritz,' 'How Long Has This Been Goin' On?' and 'Just Me, Just You.'

She quickly adjusted to the informality of the festival atmosphere, helped to move music stands and microphones for the jazz instrumentalists, joked about needing a stage hand's union card, and ran about picking up sheet music blown from the conductor's stand. She gave an artist's finesse to 'The Man That Got Away,' then closed the first half amid a storm of applause with a paean of praise for 'San Francisco.'

Returning in a black trouser costume with multi-colored spangled top, the singer pulled out all the stops and gave out with 'The American Way,' breaking into a dance step and catching up to the orchestra leader to swing him around too. A quick change of pace brought 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love,' then a frenetic arrangement of 'Come Rain or Come Shine,' with lots of bongo in the background. With just the piano for accompaniment, she sang 'You're Nearer,' and Noel Coward's poignant song from Bittersweet, 'I Believe.'

By this time Judy had her audience in the palm of her hand and nothing she did could have gone wong. 'Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart' sent their spirits up like balloons. In quick succession came 'Stormy Weather,' 'You Made Me Love You,' and 'Me and My Gal,' which she made the crowd sing too, 'Dixie Melody' sung with enthusiasm no southerner could have surpassed, brought hundreds of listeners to their feet. And when at last she came to 'Over the Rainbow' people were leaning forward as if they could really see the bluebirds.

This was greeted with a standing ovation, in response to which Judy dragged on a high black hat and pranced though 'Swanee.' She wound up with 'Chicago,' belted out on topnotch form, as though she were just going into her act, instead of finishing an exhausting two-hour stint.