Someone asked me why I am so passionate about film. I don't mean to sound dramatic but this is my truth and my relationship with the movies: A great movie will transform you just by experiencing its glory and taking the ride. A movie's glory is the way in which all of its elements make you feel. A great movie tells a story whether it's linear or not. The story, characters, acting, shots, editing, music, special effects, costuming, direction and mood transform you. It can render you …
Performing for the Older Crowd
I had an interesting gig yesterday. I was hired to sing at a "retirement community" in the suburbs. Cast aside all of your normal visuals of a nursing home. This was a 38-acre compound that offers five levels of care (independent homes to full care nursing) a "town square, shops, library and a performance space that seats 220+ with a state of the art sound system. Initially I was going in with just a piano and then I figured why not take in an ensemble so that I could give them a "show" and I am …
Much Ado
Big day for me! If you know me, then you know how much I hate making a fuss. But today is a fussy day: video shoot, photo shoot, filmed interviews of me talking about me. It's all me, me, me... Yikes! But I reckon that's what it will take to get this showboat up and sailing. I guess I must do what I gotta do. But I have have found it's easy to stomach when I'm in the hands of experts who do beautiful work and looking at the end result is less traumatic when the work is so exceptional. There …
Tonight’s the Night
My Nina Simone Tribute is tonight. It's finally here. All of the weeks of preparation all come to fruition in roughly five hours. The Shivers and I have rehearsed, conversed, arranged and thought about this night. Personally, I have considered this show as a turning point for me as a performer. It's been ages since I learned an entirely new repertoire for one concert like this. It's been a journey for me. Learning about this artist and listening to her recordings repeatedly has incorporated …
Nina Simone
I'm reeling from a terrific rehearsal with The Shivers for our upcoming Nina Simone Tribute and I am so very excited. I don't mean to be all "New Age" about it but It was an almost spiritual experience. Singing those songs after all the preparation, reading and researching I've done has put me in a place I haven't been in ... well... I can't remember being this excited. To sing, to just sing ... y'all gotta come experience this with me ... the journey continues ... and I have a feeling that …