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Local 2005-04-22 Singer brings 'soulful sound' to soloist role with
chorale Wendy Cahill is quiet by nature. But the owner of Mocha Java can dish up some powerful music.. "If you look at Wendy, you never suspect this belting soulful sound will come out of her," said Susan Dumont-Bengston, first soprano with the Ridgefield chorale. "I admire her soulful, bold style." Cahill is bringing that style to Ridgefield on May 15. She will be the soloist for "The Impossible Dream" (Man of La Mancha) with the Ridgefield Chorale at its spring concert at East Ridge Middle School. When not overseeing the lattes and mochas and her coffee shop, Cahill quietly pours her energy into various interests, painting, assisting worthy causes singing and writing songs. Her band, Sans Cherubs, sometimes plays at Mocha Java. The News-Times/Wendy
Carlson She likes gospel, blues and folk music and her voice gets compared to Mahalia Jackson and Janis Joplin. The band performs music written by its members, plus a repertoire of covers like "Bobby McGee," a crowd favorite. Dumont-Bengston looks forward to sharing a stage with Cahill. "The dynamic of Wendy's solo with the choral backup is electrifying," she said. In addition to Broadway songs, the Ridgefield Chorale concert titled, "Traveling to the Beat of Life" will deliver a mix of popular, boogie-woogies, songs, light classical and gospel music. Cahill, who is used to setting arrangements and promoting her own band, likes performing with other ensembles. For one thing. the pressure's off, she said. "I'm not responsible for selling it or brining the crowd." The other reason is, "There's nothing like singing with that many voices. They're a wonderful group to work with, really nice, talented people, dedicated to what they do." Cahill, 36, grew up in Trumbull and Glastonbury, an only child to a dad who was an inventor and owner of a energy efficiency business and mother who was a teacher. She's been singing as long as she can remember. She attended a performing arts high school in Hartford and earned her college degree in art. For two years in the late 1980s she lived in Sans Francisco, where she worked in a candy store and learned to roast coffee. Later she traveled to Alaska, camped out for four months and worked at a fishery gutting salmon. "Smelly, but fun," is how she characterized the adventure. She plays guitar and has a penchant for witty lyrics and soulful sounds. In addition to writing music with her band, she's working on songs for specific artists, hoping to sell them to the likes of Faith Hill. Influences come from such Irish rock and pop groups as The Cranberries and U-2. "I always knew how to (sing). My father is a rock historian and I grew up listening to Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, a lot of great songwriters," Cahill said. "My parents were involved with a group and ran music festivals in the '70s and promoted bands. My first time on stage I sang 'The Gambler' at a festival at Buck Steep Manor in Massachusetts." Cahill has performed two times with the Ridgefield chorale, once for a concert and another time for a benefit. It's members come from all over the Danbury area and New York. "Each time I find myself in awe of the emotion and energy that her voice holds," said a member from Ridgefield, Lynn Schneider. Cahill, who lives in Bethel, used to manage a coffeehouse in Danbury, Seattle Espresso. She opened Mocha Java two and a half years ago. She said she thought for a long time about establishing such a place in town. "I love Bethel. The people are amazing. It's been an interesting place for people to visit and I think it will keep going." Mocha Java is open every day and serves its own roasted coffees in many ways. For the drinks there's espressos, lattes, Turkish and American styles and food include wraps, soups and pastries. It is the si te of various community functions and draws an eclectic mix of people of all ages. "I knew the area needed a place where the community could come. There are business meetings, book clubs meet here. We have wireless Internet for free. People work here. There are mothers with children that come in. I wanted a place too for musicians," said Cahill. There is live music Friday and Saturday nights and open mike on Thursdays. While she loves what she does for a living, the thought of getting a record contract would tempt her away in a heartbeat. But not for good. "I'll take it in a second but not give this up. My staff is so incredible," she said. The Ridgefield Chorale, with Wendy Cahill, soloist, is performing May 15 at 4 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School on East Ridge Road in Ridgefield. Tickets ($15 for adults, students and seniors $5, kids under 5 free) will be available at the door or can be purchased at Ridgefield Music on Governor Street. For further information visit the chorale Web site www.ridgefieldchorale.org or call (203) 438-8498.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- picture The News-Times/Wendy Carlson
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