The Color Purple in Concert

I'm so excited to a cast member of a local production of The Color Purple in Concert. Shows are at the Tulsa Little Theater from April 30 - May 10. I've the pleasure of playing Shug Avery. The cast is awesome. The band is incredible. All we need is YOU in the audience. Tickets may …

The best laid plans… Oh, hello Fall!

The joys of Autumn. There's a chill in the air, leaves are turning, the squirrels are running and gathering; and allergies and colds explode. I actually love Autumn. Fall is truly my favorite season, minus the persistent laryngitis that my allergies or an errant cold may bring. Laryngitis: a singer's nightmare. You guessed it; I …

Bye bye Summer! Hello Fall! (Get ready the holidays are coming!)

Oh my goodness Summer went out with a bang! I spent a good part of August sending my youngest off to college and now this empty-nester is busy singing. So busy that I missed my September update! No worries though! I've been all around the area singing and having a good time. My schedule, as …

June leaves, July comes, Jazz keeps on moving

This is a quick note. June was a busy month! Thanks to each of you who came out to see me at each of the performances I had. I LOVE to see familiar faces and to make new friends. If you were planning to come to Bluestone Steakhouse to see a performance adjust your plans, …

May: A Month of Celebrations & Jazz!

May is such a busy month! Mother's Day, graduations, Memorial Day celebrations and I, of course, mix all of that with jazz! I hope all of you had a lovely Mother's Day. My Mother's Day was spent with my mother and my children. I was with my family in Oklahoma City and we had a great …

April showers bring Jazz flowers!

Happy April!  Spring is slowly coming around.  Okay, so it's really slow coming; but I have faith that Spring is coming! After a busy March I'm springing into April. (No pun intended there!) Something new and exciting for April; I'm singing Tuesday April 8 in Rebecca Ungerman's Tuneful Tuesday's at Whole Food's on Peoria. I'll …

Spring is in the air! Okay, maybe just jazz!

After a fun and busy February, March is rolling in with plenty of opportunities for music too!  In addition to the blistering cold. (Only in Oklahoma can you get sub-freezing temperatures and windchills, Thundersleet, Snow, Rain, Freezing Rain, Hail and Earthquakes all in the same 48 hours. Gotta love it!) As you prepare for Spring …

February: Love is in the air!

Happy February! I was just talking with a good friend and realized that the first month of 2014 is gone! There's a lot that happens in February: Black History Month, Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day. What I hope you'd like to know is where you can hear great jazz by your favorite jazz singer! (Well at …

Happy New Year! First Gig of the Year Tonight!

Happy 2014! Now that you've had you're yearly recommended dose of black-eyed peas, come out tonight to Tallgrass Prairie Table and check out some fantastic jazz.  It's the second day of the year and the first gig of the year for me. Yes I know there's also a really big football game on tonight.  Trust …

An Interview with LookyLu! A busy summer, here’s a peak!

Artist Feature: Cynthia Downing Simmons: Lady Sings the Jazz LookyLU had an opportunity to  sit down with famed Tulsa-based Jazz artist and musician, Cynthia Downing Simmons. This multifaceted artist let us into 5 minutes of what it’s like to be just Cyn.  Ollie:  what feelings do jazz evoke, like what emotions? Cynthia:  Emotions and feelings …