Supreme Mary Wilson, Up Close – Tim Gaskin  

Mary Wilson’s new cabaret act of strictly ballads entitled “Up Close” is premiering at the Empire Plush Room inside the York Hotel in San Franicsco. The only original member of “The Supremes” who stayed with the group to its end wants audiences to get to know her as a singing soloist apart from the phenomenal girl group. Wilson says “The Supremes” went as far as any group could hope adding, “I am part of musical history, now it’s more about Mary Wilson. I want the public to know who I am as an individual artist.”

Jazz is the singer’s favorite musical genre. She was raised singing it, and continued to do so privately throughout the “Supreme” days. “This show will give people a chance to see where Wilson ’s musical tastes and talents lie,” Adds the entertainer.

Don’t compare this to “Supreme” material demands Wilson , “Because I do that. And no I’m not Diana Ross. I cannot sing them the same as Diana Ross because those songs are hers. They can look at me as an individual artist.”

Wilson knows what a great singer is because some of her best friends include world-renown singing artists Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. “I grew up with these people, so I know what a great singer is all about. I’m not a great singer and I’ve never said I was a great singer. I’m a wonderful and great performer.” She acknowledges.

Since “The Supremes”, Wilson has kept busy traveling with her rock-and-roll show which includes all “Supreme” material along with rock hits. She is also the author of three best selling books and gives a popular lecture called “Dare to Dream”.

“Up Close” is a different frame of mind for the singer who is excited by the challenge. “I’m a rock-and-roller, and for me to get up and stand still is challenging. But I want people to know who I am as an artist. I think this way people can really see, ‘Wow! She really is alright!’”

“The Supreme” says audiences should come regardless of what material she performs. “I think people will probably be curious about what will I be doing? They’ll get a chance to get to know Mary Wilson the entertainer, Mary Wilson the vocalist.

Over the decades the Fairmont Hotel’s Venetian Room has been the spot of the many “Supreme” performances. Wilson laughs out loud recalling scores of gay fans wearing full feather boas in the audiences. “It was really quite a wonder feeling,” she recalls.

Gay men have always been fans, says Wilson . “I think it’s the beauty and glamour, it’s all part of the gay community that they admire and love. The Supremes were one of the first in entertainment, rock and pop, to bring that glamour into that genre of music. I think we were the models for the glamour and the sophistication, which is still followed today.”

“Up Close” is an exploration of a new dream for Wilson . “I am very proud that Florence , Diana and I, that our dreams came true. I’m not trying to not do “Supreme” songs. I just feel that this particular direction this is the best way to start at this stage in my life. I am okay with it, because I am not out to get reviews, I’m just out to do what I like to do an artist. I love San Francisco and I love what I am bringing to the town.”

Mary Wilson, the Empire Plush Room, November 29 - DEC 11