SEATTLE -- As part of its 10th Anniversary Season the Cabaret de Paris is proud to present Miss Greta Matassa in a new musical revue, Ella & Billie for a limited four-week run.

Critically acclaimed jazz recording vocalist Greta Matassa and her trio (local jazz musicians Barney McClure, Clipper Anderson and Mark Ivestor) bring to the Cabaret an extrordinary evening of the music and lives of legendary jazz divas Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

Songs like: "Lady Be Good," "How High the Moon," "God Bless the Child," and "Good Morning Heartache." Interspersed amidst the fabulous music are the ladies' accounts of lovers, fellow celebrities and life in the days of the speakeasys.

In true jazz fashion, the songs that accompany these stories will be vary from night to night and will be drawn from the more than 75 Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday songs that Greta has in her reportoire. The production runs four weeks only, Mar. 12-Apr. 4 with showtimes at 8:30 PM on Thurs.-Sat.

"This is a new venture for me," admits Greta, "It's not just the music-it's stories, it's characters, it's anecdotes. We really get to know these incredible women beginning, middle and end. They really influenced American music and so many performers since their time." In true jazz fashion, the songs that accompany these stories will be vary from night to night and will be drawn from the more than 75 Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday songs that Greta has in her reportoire.

Greta is one of the Northwest's most versatile and popular singers. A Seattle native, Greta recorded two albums with the group before recording her first solo album "Got a Song That I Sing" in 1991. In 1992 Seattle's Earshot Jazz organization voted her the "Golden Ear" award for Best Emerging Jazz Artist and subsequently recognized her three times as Best Jazz Vocalist in their annual poll. Her most recent CD "If the Moon Turns Green" is an homage to the music of Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin and other composers of the 1920's and 30's.

All performances are at the Crepe de Paris restaurant in downtown Seattle, The Crepe de Paris Restaurant is located on the second level of Rainier Square, 1333 5th Avenue (at Union). Parking is available in the garage under the building.

For reservations (a dinner and show package, priced at $40) call Crepe de Paris Restaurant at (206) 623-4111.

-- By David-Edward Hughes
Seattle Correspondent