European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 17, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Re and jazz Singer Joan Faulkner right and above is on a tour of military installations in West Germany in Celebration of Black history month. Is photos by Ken George by Jimi Jones staff writer Oan Faulkner the internationally acclaimed rhythm and blues and jazz Singer claimed converts tuesday night in Worms West Germany belting out 60 minutes of Black music to a full House during the opening show of a five Day tour of military installations. The show dubbed Miller at ease is a musical voyage through history detailing the evolution of rhythm and blues. It was produced especially for military people in Celebration of Black history month. The upbeat act demanded the versatility of an artist with Faulkner s Range of voice which has been expanding since she Sang her first Solo at age 3 in a Church in Hammond ind. As she grew so did her involvement in song. As a teen Ager she Sang in Church and school choirs at weddings and funerals and at 17 recorded with Indiana s state choir. Faulkner s Strong throaty delivery of the opening tune / will survive forced the audience to immediately accept that she knew her stuff and it set the Pace for her examples of Black musical roots tracing Back to 17th-Century Africa. With two female backup singers and a six piece jazz combo on Cue from a narrated script Faulkner stirred up influences from african Melody blues of the 1920s and gospel to ragtime and the combination of ragtime and blues jazz. The show continued with Early 50s music and rhythm and blues which with the exception of jazz became the name of All popular Black music. The historical Trail ended with a Light touch of the latest in the music business rap. Faulkner who said she does t do rap was helped out in the number by her musical director then joined on stage by Dan Grifo an army specialist assigned to 5th signal in in Worms. Grifo brought Down the House with his antics. Though treading new ground with this Type of show Faulkner said in an interview the material was nothing new. I sing blues gospel motown but this was an Opportunity to do it All together. It s sometimes a problem when people Label you. I m versatile and Don t like being categorized As a pop jazz or gospel Singer. I m a Singer she said. Convinced years ago her singing career would find Success in Europe Faulkner is Well on her Way according to manager of four years Chris Norr. The europeans love her he said. She s on the ladder of Success now and is shooting up like a rocket. She s a great Singer. In any country. To any  though most had never experienced Faulkner s music the tuesday night audience agreed. It was great said Shirley Farmer whose husband is a first sergeant assigned to Mannheim West Germany. I would like to see her  Mary Smith of Worms enjoyed it tremendously while Regina Baskerville said they should do More of this not just during Black history  Faulkner said her Confidence on stage is the result of hard work behind the  i try to give my Best every time she said. We take what we do seriously. The musicians want the Correct notes. We want the Best form. But it takes work to reach the Point where when you come on stage it s  the Singer has recorded 16 television performances Over the past four years. She has completed a single record a jazz album and has toured most european countries but she wants More. Her ultimate goal is a smash hit but she d also like to be a producer someday. Whether that Day comes makes no difference to Faulkner who is married to a retired air Force technical sergeant. God gave me this gift she said. It keeps me alive. I will always  the show was sponsored by the Miller entertainment network a program designed to entertain troops stationed overseas. Remaining performances tonight Leighton Barracks a co club Wurzburg West Germany saturday Plantation club Frankfurt West Germany. Friday february 17, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 13