JAZZWOMEN! BY ELZY KOLB

Personal take
Each song on Amy London's new CD, When I Look in Your Eyes (Motema), has a special meaning for the vocalist. She became familiar with Cy Coleman's "With Every Breath I Take" when she appeared on Broadway in his show City of Angels. "The call to audition for the show came out of the blue. They were looking for jazz singers, not Broadway singers. All the stars lined up for me and I got the part." Other touchstone tunes include "Ohio," which reminds Amy of her move from that state to New York and of "the passages we make in life, getting out of our parents' house, out on our own;" compositions by Elmo Hope for which she wrote lyrics; to "Lazy Susan" by Laura Nyro: "She was my idol, I wanted to be her when I grew up," and to "There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon," which brings to mind her sister's talk of also moving here someday. Throughout her career, Amy has mined Broadway for good songs. "The great shows offer a treasure trove of material," she says. She's pleased that her students in the New School's vocal music program share her enthusiasm. "They love the Great American Songbook," she says. "I'm thrilled to see young people who want to carry this music on. It's exciting to work with them and help nourish that love. Jazz has to be considered America's classical music, and as a teacher I'm on a mission to spread the word." Amy and her little big band celebrate the release of When I Look In Your Eyes at Dizzy's on Dec. 17. In addition, three groups of students from the New School's Vocal Rhythm Section will appear at the New School's Performance Space on Dec. 5, 11 and 13.

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