Katie Eagleson

Attendees at the upcoming Pastorius Park Concert on Wednesday evening, July 1, can expect a “soulful” interpretation of the Great American Songbook by Flourtown resident Katie Eagleson.

Eagleson has been performing in the Philadelphia area for more than 25 years, and her repertoire includes the music of the Gershwins, Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim.

Her performance at Pastorius Park will feature songs from the Great American Songbook by composers such as Jerome Kern and Richard Rogers, all “done with a jazz style,” Eagleson said.

“A song is likely to become a favorite of mine if the words express something I can sing with emotional honesty,” Eagleson said. “When those words are combined with well-crafted music, I think the impact of each is intensified, and that to me is magic.”

Eagleson’s musical influences began with Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Barbara Streisand and Nat King Cole. Later, she listened to the contemporary folk singers of her teen years such as Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, and then moved on to Linda Ronstadt.

Before years of training and performing, Eagleson had very humble beginnings: her mother’s station wagon.

 “My earliest memory is riding in the car with my mom singing along with the radio to a Patti Page song called ‘Let Me Go, Lover,’” Eagleson said. “Except, I was singing ‘Ging Ging Go, Gover’ because I was two.”

Since the days of backseat performing, Eagleson has studied music and voice at Temple University and the Neupauer Conservatory of Music. Her professional career began with a band that performed at private functions.

Eagleson continues to work with local bands and has also been the featured vocalist with two big bands. In addition, Eagleson has done recording work, singing background vocals, jingles and demo versions for local songwriters.

In May 2007, Eagleson finally turned a dream into a reality when she recorded her debut album Once Upon a Time with WalkingPath Records.

“Making a record has been something I’ve wanted to do for about 30 years,” Eagleson said. “It’s really a milestone in my life and my career. It’s been challenging and fulfilling and exciting to record my interpretations of these songs with great musicians. I appreciated every minute of the experience.”

Once Upon a Time received enthusiastic reviews from The Bulletin and eJazzNews.com, the latter giving the record four stars. Eagleson began recording her sophomore album May 2009, with an expected release date this October.

Eagleson will perform on July 1 at 7:30 p.m. (weather permitting) at Pastorius Park, Abington Avenue and Hartwell Lane. The Pastorius Park Concert Series is a production of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, and is sponsored by many neighborhood organizations, most notably the Chestnut Hill Health Systems. Other sponsors include WXPN 88.5, Fairmount Park and the Chestnut Hill Community Fund.