Preview
JACKIE RICHARDSON
SOLO SHOW
Friday, September 10
Kaos
C-JAZZ FESTIVAL
Saturday, September 11
Olympic Plaza
BLUES IN THE NIGHT
Runs September 13 to October 20
Lunchbox Theatre
The first thing about Jackie Richardson that will astound you is the sound of her voice. It’s soft yet strong, sultry yet soulful and, most importantly, it’s got power. However, it’s not just her voice that makes her memorable to listeners; her personality and presence stand out as well.
Richardson, who began her career four decades ago, was born with music coursing through her veins. Her father was a singer in Philadelphia and she grew up performing gospel music in church with her brothers and sisters. From there she branched out to include jazz and rhythm and blues. During her varied career, Richardson has been nominated for Juno, Gemini, Jessie, Betty, Dora and Maple Blues Awards, but gospel is where her true passion lies.
"It just lights a candle inside, and it’s such a spiritual thing and it’s such a perfect feeling," Richardson says.
In town to sing at the Calgary C-Jazz Festival, Richardson is also performing in the Lunchbox Theatre production of Blues in the Night, which opens on September 13. This is Richardson’s second time working with Lunchbox in six years, and she’s looking forward to reprising the role of Lady in the Broadway hit, set in the 1930s, about four people preparing for a night on the town.
"It’s looking into the lives of these four people… and you’re taking a journey into their past and where they are now, through song," she says.
According to Richardson, the evolution of blues has formed and encapsulated other styles and Blues in the Night musical director Tim Williams has put together a choice selection of music for the show.
With only one album in her repertoire, A Woman’s View Through Child’s Eyes, Richardson has spent the bulk of her career performing live at blues clubs and in jazz festivals around North America. However, some of her best shows are the ones that take place at home. Still singing with one of her sisters, Richardson says her family is the centre of her inspiration.
"It’s just what makes us," she says. "Music is not only a root for us, it’s a signpost. We get together and (sing) ‘The Greatest Love of All’ – that means something to us. Whenever we have a party, we get together and sing."
That’s not to say she doesn’t want to get back into the recording studio and create another blues album. In fact, she looks forward to walking in and laying down a few tracks.
"For me, the studio is absolutely fascinating. You get to play in ways you don’t get to (when you perform) live. It’s a wholly different appeal." She enjoys learning the new ways of recording, perfecting the sound of her own voice, and at the same time trying to retain her strength without the assistance of a band behind her. While she says it’s strange not to have her musical support-system behind her, it’s empowering at times to do it on her own.
But, if given a choice, she’ll always go for the excitement of performing live onstage with her rhythm section in tow and an audience of blues fans sitting before her.
"There’s a lot to be said for that inspiration. You give to each other when you’re doing it together," she says. "I think when that oneness is there, when all of you are (performing) and you’re with the audience, everybody goes someplace else." |
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