A swing through Eugene.

Byline: Fred Crafts The Register-Guard

Think of the swing era, and you might think of Ella Fitzgerald. Think of Ella, and you might think of Clarolyn Maier, lead singer in the national touring company production of ``Swing!'' Maier has named her persona ``Ella.''

``I sing `Stompin' at the Savoy,' and the Savoy is where Ella Fitzgerald was discovered,'' Maier says by phone from a tour stop in Avon, Colo.

"It's a great song that's always included in any big band compilation."

Which is why it is featured in a hit musical revue that celebrates the music and dance phenomenon that swept the country in the 1930s and '40s.

``Swing!'' itself has created a stir, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Director, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations, and two nominations for Best Featured Actress.

Because dance styles were a big part of the swing era, the show covers jive, Latin swing, West Coast swing, hip-hop swing and country-western swing, danced to tunes such as ``Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,'' ``Harlem Nocturne,'' ``It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got that Swing),'' ``Jumpin' at the Woodside'' and ``Sing, Sing, Sing.''

Maier, who grew up in Lake Oswego, sings songs that were originated in the Broadway production by Ann Hampton Calloway, including ``Bounce Me, Brother,'' ``Bli-Blip,'' ``I'll Be Seeing You,'' ``Blues in the Night'' and ``All of Me.''

Maier describes the show as ``just a lot of fun. It's a wonderful celebration of the music of the era. Everybody's happy. By the end of the show, everybody stands up and claps.''

For Maier, the journey from Lake Oswego to a Broadway show went through Los Angeles.

She grew up singing in her father's Congregational Church in Lake Oswego. In high school, she was in musicals such as "Dark Side of the Moon," "Sugar" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." She also sang in "Carmina Burana."

At the same time, Maier was studying piano privately and then studied classical harp under Marion Fouse of the Portland Symphony.

She started college at the University of Southern California's School of Theatrical Arts before transferring to the UCLA music department, where she studied classical harp with Lou Anne Neill of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as classical voice. After graduating in 1989, Maier signed on as the harpist/vocalist on the inaugural world cruise of the Royal Viking Sun, where she was featured on "Good Morning America" with Jimmy Stewart.

Since then, she has performed on the Fox program "Party of Five," at Julie Andrews' Hollywood premiere for "The Princess Diaries," in Steve Perry's music video "I Stand Alone" (from the Warner Brothers animated picture ``Quest for Camelot'') and for Quincy Jones, Leonard Bernstein, Henry Mancini, Michael Feinstein, Elizabeth Taylor, Leslie Bricusse, Frank Sinatra Jr., Roger Moore, Dianne Schuur and others.

She also has recorded two jazz albums, `Sessions' and `Standard Departures,' that have drawn strong reviews from Time Out New York, Billboard and L.A. Jazz Scene.

"I'm a cabaret singer," Maier says, noting that young jazz/cabaret singers like herself often end up playing in small venues, unless they are lucky enough to be signed by a major record label.

``When I was in L.A., I got some reviews, but I wasn't getting the publicity like I did when I hit `Swing!' Since then, I've gotten stacks of articles written about me. Just being out there before 16,000 to 20,000 ticketholders per week, performing every day, is going to be far more beneficial than playing in a small jazz club in Sherman Oaks, California,'' she says.

Being in ``Swing!'' has also caused Maier to shift her career focus to Broadway theater. The rigors of touring don't seem to faze her. She says performing in eight shows a week "helps you focus on your craft."

Getting into ``Swing!'' was a good move, she says, for many reasons. Maier laughs as she says, ``In `Stompin' at the Savoy,' I've got this multi-layered, sequinned evening gown that was worn on Broadway. It's gorgeous. It's worth every second just to get that dress on.''

Reach Fred Crafts at 338-2575 or [e-mail].

PLAY PREVIEW

Swing!

What: Touring version of Broadway musical that features tunes such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," ``It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)'' and "Sing, Sing, Sing!"

When: 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Silva Hall, Hult Center, Seventh and Willamette streets

How much: $22.50 to $45, at the Hult Center box office (682-5000)

GuardLine: To hear some of the music, call GuardLine at 485-2000 and select category 3733.

CAPTION(S):

Dance is a big a part of the Tony-winning ``Swing!'' Numbers include dancers doing jive, Latin swing, West Coast swing, hip-hop swing and country-western swing. Joan Marcus Adealani Malia and Robert Bottoms perform in the national touring production of ``Swing!'' coming to Eugene this week.