Jazz vocalist Blair Clark

by Wade Coggeshall

Carmel-based singer and vocal coach writing own work, giving back.

The wait staff at a north-side brunch spot know what Blair Clark means when he orders "The Usual." On a bright but chilly early Sunday afternoon it is one egg cooked medium, wheat toast and crispy bacon. Clark, a professional singer and vocal coach, has nurtured such camaraderie at three restaurants in the Carmel area. But despite living here for more than 20 years, he’s a virtual unknown in the local music scene.

Clark has been performing professionally since his teens. Much of that time has been spent interpreting cover songs at weddings and corporate gigs. He fronts a nine-piece band named Blair and Company. They’re as adept entertaining a cocktail set as they are igniting a dance floor. Then there’s his jazz ensemble, simply titled Blair. That’s where he focuses his efforts on writing original songs, while adding vivacious flair to various classics. “I cut my teeth in jazz at a very early age,” says Clark. “I loved it.”

Growing up in Michigan, it was Motown that he discovered first. His father being a folk singer and his brother listening to the likes of Barbra Streisand gave Clark even more of a musical education. But it was old stage lions like Mel Torme that ultimately determined his direction. “I decided that’s what I want to do – be able to sing with melody yet cut and trade out with the sax or trumpet or something,” says Clark about using his voice as an instrument. He’s had ample time to hone his craft. His age is off the record, but Clark will say he’s been singing since his vocabulary was limited to “da-da-goo-goo.”

“My whole family sang,” he says. “Ever since I was a kid. We’d sit around at Christmas and everyone would just start harmonizing.”

By age seven, he was performing in his school and church choirs. By junior high he was student director of his choir and earning top ratings in solo vocal performances. His first professional gig came at age 16, with famous jazz keyboardist Henry Butler. Clark later toured Europe with a theater group and then hit the road with one band after another.

The corporate gigs and private parties are a means of making money while Clark writes his own material on the side. Along with that he’s also a voice-over artist for radio and television and an in-demand vocal coach on the north side. One of his pupils was Susan Guilkie, Miss Indiana 2006.
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