By Eileen Wingard
DEL MAR — July 4th was the third time that Yael and Vlady were invited to perform at this year’s San Diego County Fair.
I heard their 3:00 p.m. performance that final day of the fair, on the O’Brien Stage, near Gate 5.
Yael’s sultry singing voice is beautifully supported by her and Vlady’s guitars, lending a rich and intricate accompaniment.
The talented songstress, dressed in colorful garb, sang in five languages. Many of the songs were her own original compositions. Born in Paris, it is no wonder that her French favorites transported the listeners to the city of lights. For one of those songs, her mother, Jacqueline Gmach, also endowed with vocal presence, joined her on stage.
Yael’s Spanish selections sounded convincingly authentic, and her Yiddish offerings, with her father, David Gmach, coming forth to sing “Der Rebbe Elimelach” and “Tumbalaleika” were highlights of the program.
By the time Big Boss Bubeleh (the name the pair calls itself) finished its 90-minute show, the benches were completely filled with avid listeners. The audience clapped and cheered as Yael and Vlady did their spirited finale, Hava Nagila.
“Her voice is so good!” exclaimed a lady sitting in front of me. “She is some serious talent!” opined a gentleman.
Yael generously treated some of the audience to copies of their CDs, while other listeners put their payment into a receptacle. By the end of Yael and Vlady’s performance, all the copies of their CDs, “Help is Coming” and “A Droite!” were gone.
Yael Gmach and Vladimir Yarovinski perform frequently at local night spots, street fairs and other venues. With her Western European background and his Eastern European upbringing, they create an exotic blend of eclectic styles and moods.
It was a long trek between the entrance gate and Gate 5, where O’Brien Stage is located, walking beside dare-devil rides with loud music and smelling the aromas from fried food vendors.. We were well-rewarded, however, by Yael and Vlady’s outstanding entertainment.
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Wingard, a retired violinist of the San Diego Symphony, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com