By Cecelia D. Johnson
Enquirer contributor

You know you're getting up there when you have to explain to the young-ins that Luther Vandross was not the first to record "A House Is Not a Home." Fortunately, there were enough grown folks in the house to appreciate the timelessness of Dionne Warwick as the headliner for this year's edition of Crown Jewels of Jazz.

A near capacity audience filled the Music Hall Ballroom Saturday night for the conclusion of The Hood Is Bigger Than You Think Tour, which also serves as a fund-raiser for Learning Through Arts, an arts education/enrichment organization.

Celebrating four decades in show business, Warwick looked as ageless as her voice sounded. Pristine pipes and a classy, sassy stage persona endeared her to many in the audience who grew up along with her music (and more than willing to be back-up singers for her 90-minute set).

With a sextet that included music director Kathy Rubbicco on piano, Warwick opened with "Close to You," a tune made popular in the '70's by the Carpenters before launching into the song that marked her debut on the charts in 1963, "Don't Make Me Over."

Warwick exudes a comforting warmth and familiarity that mirrors her material. Patrons were more than willing to stroll down memory lane as they sang along with a medley that included "Walk On By," "Anyone Who Had a Heart," "Never Get to Heaven," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" and "A House is Not a Home."

Warwick had a few surprises up her sleeve. After concluding the medley with "Message to Michael," "This Girl's In Love With You" and "I Say A Little Prayer for You," she performed a duet with her drummer/son David Elliott on Elton John's "Do You Know What I Mean?"

The enduring essence of the songs is a tribute to both composer and artist; all transcend styles and trends with substance. Her treatment of the theme from the film Valley of the Dolls provided a poignant showcase for Warwick's unique gift of interpretation.

She again shifted gears into s bossa nova groove with "Jobim" and "Brasil" before inquiring "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?"

Warwick closed with "I'll Never Love This Way Again" and "What the World Needs Now." She did another duet with her son on "That's What Friends Are For" before leaving the bandstand.

Kathy Wade opened the evening with some help from her friends in the Khalid Moss Quartet. The ever ebullient hometown diva did more than warm up the room.

She got the ballroom heated with her uptempo version of "Bye, Bye, Blackbird." "Here Comes That Rainy Day" featured some tasty pickings from Aurell Ray's guitar. Things got real steamy when Wade turned "Fever" into a five-alarm fire.