I Arts & Entertainment Fast Forward from page 57 Greektown for Sunday brunches and Andiamo Osteria in Rochester on some Thursdays. The group is booked for Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 27. "I like jazz because it allows perform ers to reinvent themselves each time they go on stage," says Palter, who also has appeared at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, the Bluebird in Nashville and various halls for private parties. "Jazz is the most challenging style because it's constantly evolving. I can explore many possibilities." Exploring possibilities also reaches into the business end of her work, which has taken some new turns this year. Palter recently dropped out of the University of Michigan, where she was a sophomore studying vocal perform- ance, so that homework wouldn't pre- vent her from accepting job offers. Early in December, with the goal of expand- ing those offers, she signed a manage- ment contract with Howard Hertz, a local entertainment attorney who also represents Eminem. Soon, she will move to New York or Los Angeles to pursue larger markets through the networking that has enhanced her bookings. Before then, she will complete a demo recording to take with her. Starting Early "My mother says I was singing before I was talking," says Palter, who even can have a good time when she's rehearsing. "I think music is in my soul. I can't remember anything being more impor- tant except for my family." Palter, whose sister Kimberly studied musical theater at Northwestern University and is appearing in a Chicago production, can trace her vocal talents back to grandmother Dorothea Ranier, a child opera singer. Jesse, as She will move to New York or Los Angeles to pursue larger markets through the net- working that has enhanced her bookings. she's sometimes called, began her stage work in community theater when she was 5 years old and was cast in musi- cals through Nancy Gurwin Productions. A young piano student who also took dance lessons, Palter went on to Abbott Middle School in West Bloomfield'to enroll in the specialized arts programs and graduated from West Bloomfield West Side Carpet... at East Side Prices 20750 Hoover Road (3 miles south of 1-696) Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and by appointment. Call Mickey at 586-756-2400. 1052130 Flooring Warehouse We set the floor on prices. Joe Menem Computer Services • Your Independent Technology Partner • Network design & installation • Server setup & administration •Software design & programming •Hardware troubleshooting & repair High School. Along the way, she became part of the choir and then a junior can- tor at Temple Israel, where she had her bat mitzvah. "I took trumpet, oboe and banjo at Abbott," says Palter, who had a vocal coach and formal classical training as a teenager. "When I was narrator in a school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I just started embellishing on the melody. The teacher told me I could not do that for the play but suggested that I try getting involved in jazz." Young Composer With Etta James as an early and contin- uing role model, Palter often sings "At Last" in her shows. Another favorite standard that has become popular with her audiences is "Misty." "A boyfriend who became seriously ill was the inspiration for my own song `One Last Makeover,"' explains Palter, who began composing when she was 12. "His situation gave me perspective, and the song is about getting priorities in order and not being petty. "Another boyfriend was the inspira- tion for my song 'Change of Heart: which is about breaking up. I wrote `Lovesick" as a fun song about the joys of being in love." As Palter gets more work around Michigan and outside the state, she con- siders fellow performers as important teachers. While working at Detroit's Bert's on Broadway over the summer, she shared the stage with Martha Reeves, Don Mayberry, Paul Keller and Marcus Belgrave. Through networking connections, she has written songs with Jeff and Mark Bass, who have worked with Eminem and 50 Cent, and Andrew Gold, band- leader for Linda Ronstadt. With 2006 quickly approaching, Palter could be singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" as a musical ad. She's still looking for a booking and can be reached at her Web site, www.myspace.com/jessepalter, where her upcoming engagements are listed. "I feel honored to be doing all this at such a young age," Palter says. "When I'm not working, I love to watch other live musical acts. I also have fun hang- ing out with my friends." O Jessica Palter can be heard Tuesdays at Silky's Martini & Music Cafe, 21931 Michigan Ave., Dearborn — (313) 565-4260; Sunday mornings at Mosaic, 501 Monroe, Detroit — (313) 962-9366; and occasional Thursdays at Andiamo Osteria, 401 N. Main, Rochester — (248) 601-9300. She will perform Friday evening, Jan. 27, at Baker's Keyboard Lounge, 20510 Livernois, Detroit — (313) 345-6300. PRIX/AV pANQUET FACILITIES FOR ALL OCCASIONS` or RIBS FOR TWO OR L:OFF' BIM CHICKEN FOR TWO AIL DINNERS INCLUDE: SALAD OR COLESLAW. POTATOES AND GARUC BREAD Exp. 12/3!/05 ,111 • Toss Pointe OC/LP 9/ 9 266t 6 AH ' 'INN_ 24234 Orchard Lake Rd., N.E. corner of 10 Mile • 476 1377 C f 7 L Need a different approach for your child to master math & science? Contact Golani the team leader of Engineers and Scientists at Over 24 years of experience making computers do the right thing. V.U. 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