My Musical Journey
A Hunk, a Hunk of Burning Love
My musical career began with Elvis Presley. Well, impersonating Elvis Presley.
I had the guitar, the moves, and apparently the confidence to pull it off. My wardrobe was a little less Graceland and a little more plaid skirt and tights, but I wasn't about to let that interfere with my artistic vision.
I grew up in a family where music was everywhere. There were instruments to play, songs to sing, and absolutely no reason I could see to remain quietly in the audience.
The King had left the building. I was moving in.
Celine WHO?
As you can see, I took my singing VERY seriously. Like...Whitmey meets Celine and out sings BARBARA S level of seriously. Accompanied by my musically-gifted mother, I set up chairs, made tickets for the concerts, and charged my family in Gummi Bears to attend.
Epic Success.
Somewhere along the way, I discovered that I wanted to sing for more than my Sis and Dad. I didn't even care if the pay was less than the cost of a bag of Gummi Bears. So I kept practicing...and practicing...and practicing...and interpreted neighbor complaints to mean that I was singing too softly and needed to emote MORE!
Move over Elton! Make some room on the Piano Bench!
My mother was a sensible woman. Having witnessed my early ambitions to become the next Elvis Presley, she apparently decided that a little formal musical education might be in order.
So she enrolled me in piano lessons when I was around 9.
This was a bold move. I'd already demonstrated what I could do with six strings. Now she was giving me eighty-eight keys and a teacher who was actually being paid to listen (not the little guy - that's my cousin Erik who was put in charge of page-turning at the age of 2).
I suspect Mom was hoping to channel some of that enthusiasm into discipline. Instead, she created a lifelong love affair with the piano.
Maynard Ferguson, a Misty Solo, and Falling in Love with jazz music and the tenor saxophone.
Then I discovered jazz music, the tenor saxophone, and though I didn't break up with Elvis, I did launch what has been a 45-year love affair with jazz. I've played tenor and alto sax in numerous jazz bands, concert bands, and even had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson.
I love the discipline of ensemble playing, the freedom of jazz, and the exhilarating business of making music with other musicians.
The saxophone has taught me about phrasing, timing, improvisation, and the expressive possibilities of a single note.
It also taught me that reeds have minds of their own, frequently at the most inconvenient moments. And now I'm applying those same lessons to gliding over vocal bridges between my contralto chest voice to reach the high notes my songs sometimes need to sing the truth.
The Novelist Becomes The Lyricist
For years the stories that found me were content to live within a poem, short story, or novels.
Not anymore. Now, they want to SING!.
These days, my "writing" music room is crowded! Bookshelves, desk, keyboard, saxophone, guitars, the complete book of lyrics by Bob Dylan AND his Nobel Prize Winning Speech. Still, there's always room for a friend who wants to chill while the records spin or jam when inspiration hits.
My writing room is where I write and record original songs, as well as lyrics for other performers. In case you're worried if I ever have cause to leave my writing room, let me assure you I do. I sing Alto 2 with the Minnesota Saints Chorale & Orchestra, which is an absolute joy. Please see the front page for upcoming concert dates and details.
In the meantime, pull up a chair. Get comfy. Read one of my books or short stories. Laugh at some goofy pics of that larger-than-life girl from my childhood. And, if you feel a connection to one of my songs, hit PLAY and sing along with me!