Audiences at the Valley Jazz Club always respond enthusiastically to Ginger Pauley and the Hoosier Daddys. Their shows are characterized by more smiles and less table chatter, and more responsiveness and fewer empty chairs, than most concerts at Canoga Park venue. Her performances are true to the spirit of the Jazz Age, with her tune selections, sounds, and arrangements—and most certainly with her style and appearance.
The Woman
Ginger wore an intensely red dress with sparkles, a matching feather boa, white feathers in her hair, a long single strand of gleaming white pearls, ivory gloves reaching above her elbows, and a big warm smile that could melt the ice in your bootlegged Prohibition beverage. If a black and white photo were to be taken of Ginger singing into her antique suspension microphone, it would look like it was taken in the 1920s.
Ginger re-created the original Helen Kane sound and character for just a couple of songs, “Oh, I’m In Love” and “That’s Why I’m Happy,” before moving on—although fans were left wanting more. Ginger does it so very well, using her professional acting skills to enhance the Betty Boop-like character and delightfully ditsy personality. Though she is a multi-faceted performer who wisely wants to present more than her excellent Helen Kane impersonation, like some others in the audience I found myself thinking, “It’s just so
