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All Photos: Alan Mercer Lighting: Eric V.
Getting rave reviews all over the country, Jilla is one of those performers you remember! She blends her own powerful yet sultry vocal style to big band swing and traditional jazz. One reviewer wrote of her that, “Jilla provided The Voice, that rare spill-the-guts, cry-out type of singing that most singers seem afraid to try. A rare talent indeed, she left the audience wanting for more.”
Jilla has been mesmerizing audiences for years with her live shows. Performing from Singapore to Las Vegas some of her credits include the Shakespeare Theater, the Davis Theater, Le Capitole Du Quebec, the American Music Theater, the Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards Show, the Ryman Theater in Nashville, casinos up and down the Las Vegas strip, USO tours, and touring productions across the globe.
In the early years, Jilla was the voice of many national commercials and soundtracks. She can be seen on commercials for NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, and the WB. She was the voice of ‘Regis and Kathy Lee,’ ‘Candid Camera,’ ‘Dharma and Greg,’ ‘Hawaiian Air,’ ‘Rosie O’Donnell,’ and ‘Must See TV’ to name a few.
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Along with producing and singing in the nation’s hottest corporate and convention bands, these days she is getting back to her roots. Her mother, Jilla Webb Sr. lead vocalist for the Harry James Orchestra, passed on the gift of the Great American Songbook to Jilla, or little Jilla as she is know to her friends and family. Jilla is excited to carry on the musical legacy her mother began in the 1940’s. In her show, Jilla performs using the same charts her mother sang while in the James band. She is bringing big band music to those who remember Harry James and introducing big band to a whole new generation of fans. Jilla is proudly connecting the generations with this wonderful music.
While not touring, Jilla shares her talents by working with the stars of tomorrow. In addition to being a recent judge for ‘The Alabama Voice’ competition, she often gives seminars, and teaches private lessons locally and across the country. She was also a member of the artistic team as a vocal and dialect coach for Le Reve, the show at the Wynn Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, and currently has clients on Disney, former Miss Nevada, former Miss Southern Alberta, signed to independent record labels, on cruise ships, casinos, in productions shows around the world, and one soon to be on Broadway.
Last year Jilla recorded a CD with the Troy University Jazz Ensemble of some of the charts her mother performed with the Harry James Orchestra. The CD is now available on CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon. Jilla has recently recorded a new CD. A collaboration with guitarist Kurt McKinney that is sure to be a musical delight. It has been said that Jilla has amazing energy and a voice to match! Catch a performance, it will be unforgettable.
The photos you see here represent three different sessions over the past ten years. No matter what hair style, length or color, Jilla is always beautiful and always talented! I've grown to love her as a person and an artist.
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AM: Jilla, can you give me some background information about your Mom. I think that’s important as to who you are.
JW: My Mom sang with everybody. She sang with Harry James the longest and she sang with The Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey Bands. She would go out as a freelance singer too. They would put together these shows that included Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra. Before she worked with Harry, she was on the Mario Lanza shows. I have big records of her on those shows. She had a recording contract with MGM. She played the Hollywood Palladium in 1958 with Harry and Les Brown. She’s on that record.
AM: What was it like growing up with a Mother who is always in the spotlight?
JW: As a little kid it was really fun because I got to go on the road with the band.
AM: So this is so natural for you. Your Mom passed on the gypsy gene to you.
JW: Absolutely, I’ve been doing this since I was seven years old. Harry James was Uncle Harry to me. He bought me birthday presents every year. He gave me trumpet lessons when I got in high school. I can say I didn’t understand what I was involved in and how cool it was, but I did learn a lot about music listening to them rehearse. I got to go quite frequently and Mom toured through 1982 which was when Harry died. It was pretty inspirational and it did influence me.
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AM: I know you have done some shows as a tribute artist as well.
JW: Right, you have to if you live in Las Vegas. (laughter) It’s part of the deal.
AM: It’s a good way to keep working.
JW: Sure, and it’s a really good way to work in Las Vegas. All the tribute artists are really good at performing. It’s not corny or cheesy when you see how hard these people work. I knew I had a responsibility to really do this well. It was fun too!
AM: Jilla, you are a great example of someone who has devoted her life to learning a craft and you have been able to make a living doing what you love, yet you haven’t had the overnight success that so many people dream of. What do you tell your students about this?
JW: This is a great question because I do talk to them about this. I tell them if this is something you love to do, you can do this throughout your whole life. You can always perform. There will always be a new and fresh goal. Being an overnight success is not the end all, be all. It’s more about loving what you do. It is not about the end goal, it’s about the journey and the process. I want to keep growing into a better singer and better entertainer. I want to teach better and I want to keep learning. There are a bunch of professionals out there who work all the time and have great lives and do what they want to do.
AM: Did you dream of being a superstar when you were young?
JW: Oh sure. I think every young person does. Life is about relationships. It’s about the things you do for other people. My closest friends are all entertainers. We have a strong bond that is so cool.
AM: Do you ever sing background?
JW: All the time!
AM: Do you enjoy that too?
JW: Oh yes! It’s great because there’s no pressure. For me it’s about being a part of something. I don’t always have to be the main artist. It’s not about look at me.
AM: When did you start teaching?
JW: I have been teaching since 1991.
AM: You sing all styles of music don’t you?
JW: I do. (laughter) If you pay me, I’ll sing it. I’ve been doing this since I was twelve.
AM: What is your favorite style?
JW: Jazz and Blues. Since I grew up with those styles, I didn’t know how deep they got in me, but like any good teenager I rebelled and sang rock n’ roll for years. Now I think I take the rock and blend it with the jazz and blues to give it an edge.
AM: What style of music is your newest CD?
JW: It’s a Mediterranean style, smooth jazz. It’s acoustic in it’s nature. It’s nice and chill and mellow. Kurt McKinney is an amazing player and I’m fortunate to be able to work with someone of his caliber again.
AM: What do you teach your students to ground them now that we live in this ‘American Idol’ mentality?
JW: I keep bringing them back to, first, it has to be something you love. If you are doing this for money you are probably going to be disappointed. If you wake up every day and you have to sing, then follow it. Second, it’s got to be about being good technically. You have to hone your craft. I hope our culture is going to get tired of one-hit wonders. I’m still working for over thirty years. I continue to work and build a good reputation. That’s another really important aspect. Be professional. It’s why I still work!
To learn more about Jilla visit her web site http://www.jillawebb.com/