People often ask me, "What kind of singer are you?"

And I answer, "Uh...um...well..let's see.." as I try to come up with a truly magnificent answer.

I'm a jazz-centric pop singer who loves to take songs from "back in the day" and kick them up with contemporary jazz arrangements.

While I adore those great, timeless songs of the 30's, 40's and 50's, as well as songs written for musical theater, I've recently been diving into the great songwriters of my generation. Joni Mitchell. Billy Joel. John, Paul, George and Ringo. And more recently, John Mayer.

With this kind of wild mix of songs spanning 15 decades in my creative toolbox, I weave both song and story into theme-driven musical shows with the intention of entertaining and uplifting anyone within earshot.

Or sometimes, I just sing the oldies in bars and saloons.

BACKGROUND

As a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at University of the Pacific, I was educated in classical music. I was going to be an opera singer until my first year at college when I discovered how ugly the opera world can be. But the training was invaluable. It taught me how to be a musician, not just a singer.

Once I graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, I stopped singing. Completely. Eighteen years later, at age 39, and not having sung anything more than a commercial jingle along with the car radio, I had a wild notion. Why not start singing again, and then give a concert on my fortieth birthday and make all my friends come
and listen?

If I had been smart, I would have invited ten friends to come to my house to listen to a few songs in my living room. But no! I had to rent a theater and invite 150 of my closest friends to come to an hour long show! This show, called "In My Own Voice," was the beginning of my career. Once I started singing again, I couldn't stop.

I fell in love with the art of cabaret because it is the only performance art form I know of that allows the artist so much creative freedom. Anything goes. I can incorporate songs from any genre, pop, classical, jazz, rock, whatever works, A show can be funny, meaningful, inspirational, dramatic or just plain silly! It all has a place in cabaret.

And I adore the intimacy and connection you can have with an audience. Cabaret is a co-creation. You create it with your audience. They are an essential ingredient. That's why every show has an energy and vibe that is unique and fresh, even if the songs and stories stay the same.

When I'm not creating and producing my own shows, like "In Your Wildest Dreams," "Insomnia," "Love and Lunacy," "Lovin' The Spin I'm In" and "In My Own Voice,” I perform on demand at fund raising events, special musical showcases, and at some pretty nice clubs and cabarets throughout the San Francisco Bay area.

Except now I live in Kingston, New York. I moved here in April, 09 from Sebastopol, CA — my beloved home for more than 27 years. While I miss my friends AND my musicians in CA, I do love New York.

Singers & Other Musicians I Adore

My Favorite Singers Who Also Happen to be Famous:

Wesla Whitfield
http://www.weslawhitfield.com/

Dianne Reeves
http://www.diannereeves.com/

Tony Bennett
http://www.tonybennett.net/

Tierney Sutton
http://www.tierneysutton.com/

Kate McGarry
http://www.katemcgarry.com/

Superb Singers Who Should Be Famous

Terese Genecco
http://www.teresegenecco.com

Shaynee Rainbolt
http://www.shayneerainbolt.com

Wanda Stafford
http://www.wandastafford.com

Musicians I Love

Dennis Winge, guitarist
http://denniswinge.com/

John Simon, pianist, composer
http://www.thefourthstream.com/

Jason Martineau, pianist, composer
http://www.jasonmartineau.com/

Mike Greensill, pianist, extraordinary arranger
http://www.mikegreensill.com/

Barry Lloyd, pianist, singer, arranger
Barry doesn't have a website, but you can call him at (415) 885-1802

Tom Shader, the greatest bass player in the world (707) 5423-1467

Recording Studios I Can't Live Without

Banquet Sound Studios
http://www.banquetstudios.com/

J Dog Studios
http://www.thefourthstream.com/

Special Event Experts

Park Avenue Catering
http://www.parkavecater.com/