Spider Saloff. Pic by Steve Starr.___________Spider Saloff is a glamorous chanteuse with an affinity for classic jazz. She performs throughout the country while making Chicago her home. She was raised in Woodbury, N.J., a small revolutionary war town near Philadelphia. While appearing in various New York shows and nightclubs, she met her husband, writer Robert Drake, on a blind date set up by one of Jay Leno's joke writers. They married in a famous New York gay bar, and later, after Saloff was booked for a year-long engagement at Chicago's famed Gold Star Sardine Bar, the couple fell in love with the city and decided to never leave.
The Chicago Tribune emphatically stated of Saloff, 'One of the finest jazz singers working in this or any other city,' and The New York Times exclaimed that she had 'A Wicked Way with a lyric!' Saloff has six CDs released nationally on Kopaesthetics Records, including 1938, Sextet, The Memory of All That, Cool Yule and A New Set of Standards. Her recent CD, Like Glass, has received rave reviews and continues to get airplay throughout the country.
Saloff is a five-time winner of the prestigious MAC Award, one for Best Female Jazz Vocalist, presented by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets, and was awarded a special citation from NARAS, the presenter of the Grammy awards, for her contributions to music.
She has performed at countless diverse venues that include the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., the Wilmington Grand Opera, and The Castro Theatre in San Francisco. In Chicago she often performs at the wonderful Katerina's Nightclub and Restaurant, and one of her latest engagements was performing at my birthday celebration at the Whitehall Hotel, enthralling everyone with her jazz ballads, and thrilling me personally with her renditions of You Are My Lucky Star and, of course, Happy Birthday.
Windy City Times: When did you leave Woodbury?
Spider Saloff: I went to a state college to study theater and then did a program through my college at the University of London, England. After school, I worked in the theater doing mostly musicals because I could sing. I was in a theater company with Anne Heche, long before she knew Ellen DeGeneres. I did a lot of stuff out of town in the New York area and a couple of flops. Then I got sick of the audition process and started singing in New York nightclubs about 1987.
WCT: When and why did you arrive in Chicago?
SS: I first came here to do a New Year's Eve, ringing in 1991, when Bill Allen of the Gold Star Sardine Bar flew me in for a one-nighter. Then he had me back for a month-long engagement in 1992. Then he moved us here in 1993 for a year-long engagement. Bob and I both fell in love with the city and never left.
WCT: Would you have stayed in New York otherwise?
SS: I suppose I would have stayed in New York if I had not had the offer from the Gold Star. But I consider that one of the best things that ever happened to me. It was becoming so difficult to work on a steady basis there.
WCT: It is still hard to work there.
SS: I play in New York a couple of times a year.
WCT: Tell me about your husband.
SS: I met him on a blind date. We were set up by one of Jay Leno's joke writers. And that was it. We have been together ever since. When we got married in 1990 it was at the 5 Oaks, which was one of the oldest bars in New York. Not there anymore of course. It dated back to the 1700s. It was at the corner of Bleeker and Grove Street in the Village. It had been listed in books as Judy Garland's favorite, and many other famous customers like Noel Coward had gone there. During my acting and club work in New York, they hired me as a bartender and would let me come and go when I had to. It was a famous piano bar and very gay. A pianist/singer named Marie Blake played there for over 40 years. Some of the people who hung out during my time there were Liza Minnelli, Gette Watanabe, Bobby Short, Mario Cantone, and Harvey Feirstein. So we decided to get married there. Our families are small and we only invited them and friends from New York. The ceremony was performed by the editor of OMNI Magazine, who was also an ordained minister, and there were male bridesmaids. My mother thought they were ushers. The chefs ( Chef Anthony and Joanie The Dyke, that was her chosen title ) loved me and surprised us with a four-tier chocolate wedding cake! It was a very glamorous wedding and my connection with that magical place will always be special.
WCT: Have you always had an attraction to Gershwin's music?
SS: I have always loved the American Songbook and classic Jazz, Gershwin being my favorite. During my time in New York, I had the incredible honor of knowing and befriending the Gershwin family. They were wonderful to me and gave me the support when I created the all Gershwin concert for the centennial of George and Ira ( Ira in 1996, and George in 1998 ) . I still perform the concert piece till this day as a Jazz Concert and with full symphony, which I will be doing this April in Seattle.
WCT: Do you have particularly favorite artists, or people, and are there favorite places you love to be?
SS: I have so many artists that have influenced me, and whom I love working with, I can't even begin. I have lots of people in my life and that is what I love most. Being with friends, entertaining whether on stage or cooking for them in my home. That's what life is all about for me. I have been blessed with friends all over the world and whenever I go on tour, I usually seem to add a few days to spend with friends, enjoying the scenery, whatever it may be.
WCT: Tell me about your name, Spider.
SS: I got that as a nickname when I was in college because of my long legs, arms and fingers. Then it would not go away. I did not use it professionally until 1986.
WCT: Did you always know you would be a performer?
SS: I don't think I have ever considered anything else since I was 14.
WCT: Who is your favorite photographer? Is his head shaved? Is he as adorable as everyone says … or what?
SS: Hmmmm? You know I think it is this guy who I heard of the first time I came to Chicago when I was in high school. He was a legend then and still is. He can capture anyone at their best. He also is very sexy and eternally hip. His name is Steve Starr!
WCT: Oh, pshaww … thank you. How you go on … say that again!
See www.SpiderJazz.com for more.
Steve Starr is the author of 'Picture Perfect-Art Deco Photo Frames 1926-1946. A photographer, artist, and designer he is the owner of Steve Starr Studios, specializing in original Art Deco artifacts and photo frames, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2007. His personal collection of over 950 gorgeous frames is filled with images of Hollywood's most elegant stars.
Steve Starr's column, STARRLIGHT, about movie stars of the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's appears in various publications including Entertainment magazine Online-www.EMOL.org/reporters/Starr, the Chicago Art Deco Society Magazine, and the Windy City Times.
Visit www.SteveStarrStudios.com where you can enter The Starrlight Room and view many of his beautiful frames, read fascinating Starrlight stories, and enjoy photos, letters and autographs from some of his favorite luminaries. STARRGAZERS-Radiant Photography by Steve Starr is available for portraits and events; 773-463-8017. Steve Starr is a Nightlife Photographer for Clubline Magazine, House Photographer at the beautiful Rumba Supper Club, and a photo contributor to various periodicals including Nightspots and Image Chicago Magazine.
