Mary Wilson, one of the three founding members of the legendary Supremes, brought her own magic to the District in a one-woman performance that concludes with two evening shows on Sunday, Feb. 19 at the historic Blues Alley in Georgetown.
Wilson reminds that despite turning 73 next month, she continues to love the job she’s had since her teen years – “singing because it makes people happy.”
Wilson looked wonderful in a sequined purple gown when I caught her on Saturday evening, playing to the audience like the seasoned veteran that she is. And while she says she used to do “the oohs and aahs,” she captured our attention with her powerful yet sultry voice.
“This show is about me — my life, the music that has moved me,” she said.
After each song, Wilson chatted with the audience, even moving about the quaint supper club and inviting some fans to join her on the mic.
Her songs were a combination of jazz, Latin, blues, pop and R&B. And of course, she took us down memory lane with several Motown medleys of the hits that catapulted the Supremes to stardom.
Truth to be told, I wanted to see Mary Wilson more than hear her — eager to be reminded of the many memorable moments of my childhood in Detroit — the place where Motown was born.
But Wilson brought her A-game. And she sang her way into my heart.
Mary Wilson had me in the palm of her hand. Yes, she’s still soulfully supreme.