"She said, 'treat every show like you're in their living room' and it's something I've never forgotten," said Silver, who worked as a back-up singer with Murray years ago.
The Markham vocalist, who performs Wednesday through Saturday evenings at Mississauga restaurant La Castile, has released a new album. Called Twelve Pieces of Silver, the 12-track CD was recorded at Metalworks Studios and features instrumental tracks by musicians Guido Basso, Jeff Healey and others.
During her two years performing at the restaurant, Silver has discovered an untapped creative well inside her.
"It's actually been a tremendous experience and I've written quite a few songs," she said. "Something about it has inspired me to be creative. I get to tell jokes and mingle with the crowd and, of course, sing. I think the (piano-playing jazz singer) is a dying trade, but people like Diana Krall have helped make it more fashionable."
Silver rose to prominence in the early 1970s as a singer with the jazz and R&B act, Dr. Music. It was an early introduction to great music, she said, and that she was surrounded by well-respected artists such as Doug Riley motivated her to follow a music career.
"I was growing up with great people and accompanied by the best," she said. "I knew I had to go into jazz in the end. Dr. Music was a fabulous group and even though they didn't stay together long, I learned a lot."
Still, it took her a while to settle into the jazz genre. Silver said she explored country, R&B, gospel, pop and rock before coming back to the comfortable confines of jazz.
"I loved them all, but jazz really sounded best for my voice," she said.
In addition to her shows at La Castile, Silver has expanded into teaching. She worked as a vocal instructor with the Joy of Music school and offers classes out of her home.
"I fell in love with teaching and I think this is a natural progression for me," she said. "I like helping the children become great singers."
cclay@mississauga.net
