Mercedes Hall

“Any discussion of Boston bred songstress Mercedes Hall inevitably includes the fact that she is the mother of film and TV star Anthony Michael Hall. However, what isn’t mentioned nearly as often is that she was earning her oats with TV gigs and cross country club dates long before her offspring became a marquee name. So don’t dare think of her as some late blooming dilettante who’s decided to ride her son’s coat-tails to fame. Nor could you when you hear her arresting sound – an espresso – rich blend of Dinah Washington sass, Lena Horne sophistication and Cleo Laine musicality, a voice made all the more disconcerting when you realize it’s pouring forth from a diminutive redhead with sparkling blue eyes." (Jazz Times)