Rare Silk

For a short while, Rare Silk looked as though they were likely to be considered a significant jazz vocal group. Comprising Gaile Gillaspie, Marylynn Gillaspie, Todd Buffa, and Marguerite Juenemann (changed by Barbara Reeves and Jamie Broumas), Rare Silk began like a swing-oriented group within the vein from the Pied Pipers and (despite having the inclusion of the male organ) the Andrews Sisters. They made an appearance with Benny Goodman in the 1980 Playboy Jazz Event. During the following couple of years, they modernized their design to add both bop and funkier materials, documenting for Polydor (1982) and Palo Alto (1985-1986); perhaps most obviously were their variations of “NY Afternoon,” “Reddish Clay,” and “Spain.” Nevertheless, Rare Silk hardly ever really captured on plus they eventually split up.