Last week I was invited by my acting union to a special program honoring all the "African American" (I'm sorry I say black always have) broadway performers that had received the Gypsy Robe.
The Gypsy robe is a robe that is traditionally passed from one show to another on opening night. Before the show the performer who has had the most chorus contracts is presented the robe by the previous recipient and there is a whole traditional procedure that you go through when you get the robe.
Now if I am being honest (as Simon would say) I was not happy to get the robe at the time and neither were other friends of mine. One is always appreciative but not always happy to be in the chorus. However, when I was among the presence of black performers who had been on Broadway in the 70's whom I would have never met, and they called out each of our names and to hear the cheers because you were one of the black people who had in some small way made history not just on broadway but for black people as well, it made me proud to be a robe recipient. Something that will go down in the history of theatre. Kinda cool. In case you are wondering I got the robe in the 2000 Broadway revival of "Jesus Christ Superstar". A show I couldn't even get an audition for originally. And then ended up being hired one evening on a fluke.
Sometimes fate has more in store for you than any of your plans.

This past weekend I got to perform a few of the songs that I plan to put in my show. It went very well.
And how nice to do it with the wonderful composer, Steve Schalchlin playing for me. If you haven't seen his show THE BIG VOICE you should. It's running with the original cast and composers for three more weeks. I'm singing some of the songs from the show in my performance at the Metropolitan Room.

Of course the songs in my show have changed again. It's very weird how from day to day the feeling of what should go where shfits. The opening section seems to stay the same but then it shifts from there depending on my day, mood, what songs I've heard recently etc. Also in thinking about the audience as well and trying to keep a balance between what I like and what fits the room. It's tricky for me. I'm sure that's an easier thing when you are doing something like this on a regular basis and I bet it will get easier for me. There are just so many wonderful songs out there!
Also another nice thing.
Another composer with whom I had worked a few weeks ago sent me songs to consider putting into my show as well. I must say this is not something that I have had in my life happen to me and it is very nice. It's something that I really wished for this year and put out there energy wise and so far it seems to be happening.
I love it!

Saw J.D. Walter's cd release performance at Joe's Pub for his new album,
2bass, a face & a little skin.
J.D. Walter is an incredible jazz artist and vocal instrument.
I don't describe many people as an instrument but he really is just like a musical instrument.
If you have the opportunity to check him out you should!
Next time I think is at 55bar in NYC on Jan. 25th
Great musician!
The man can scat faster and more accurately than anybody I see on the circuit these days
And his standard interpretations and vocal control are riveting.
And the live electronic music and looping that he does is amazing.
Check out his myspace page at mypace.com/jdwalter
and listen to the whole "Live Loop" track. He does all of that right in front of you. It's a real crowd pleaser to experience him creating it.
Singing with himself basically.
Takes the whole recording different parts track by track to a whole new level.
I love that kind of thing.

He just came out with a cd 2bass a face & and a little skin
Great cd.
My favorite track: Columbiana
On this cd JD works just with 2 bass players, drums and himself.
I would never have thought of that combination but would love to try it sometime.
Cool concept.
Anyway, J.D. Walter is one of those artists I go watch & listen to
and it inspires me to be creative and to keep working on my own projects!

Yesterday was quite exciting.
Don't think I slept much last night.
despite the fact I've got to go and record for a radio gig this morning.
I know you aren't supposed to lose sleep 5 months before your show!

After painstakingly narrowing down which songs I would do for my show.
(Only 14 which is typical format. I started with about 25 that I was dying to do)

I had my first meeting with my Musical Director (aka MD)
We went over all the songs I think I want to do. That will of course change.
We also talked about a basic structure for cabaret/nightclub acts that he was taught by a known artist and that he has found to work, having done so many of them with different artists.
He gave me the structure and said that it is something you can work from but there are no rules and one can always veer from it.
So needless to say I am already reshaping the order and song choices.
He gave me a few bits of advice as well,
some of which I knew but always appreciate hearing again.
Like, don't sing anything you aren't dying to sing.
Lots of us in our regular jobs, (mine tends to be broadway shows)
lots of us have to do what is required for the task at hand.
In my case that would mean I have to sing and make natural the songs
that are a part of whatever project I am doing.
So it's riduculous to take your own personal project and impose something on yourself
that you don't like to do or aren't dying to do.
Also talked more about the big picture for the show
and making the journey (overused word)
more concise in outline.
One big thing for me is to stay open.
Not to lock into any one plan this early in the process (another overused word)
Have a clear idea of what I want and then just stay open.
Then the show can take on a life of its own.

I found myself getting more and more excited,
smiling as we exchanged ideas.
And then felt a surge of adrenalin when
he pulled binders of different artist's shows off of his shelf
to show me how they had structured their show
and what worked for them and how it all had come together.
In the midst of it all I just thought about the fact that
I will have a show of my own in my binder soon!
My first creation!
How cool!

For me right now at this point in my career, life really is about finding projects for myself that excite me, drive me, and are artistically fulfilling.
I so admire people like Daniel Beaty and a dear friend of mine Charles Holt who go out there and create projects for themselves and bring them to fruition. It's a whole lot more work than just going and doing a broadway, offbroadway or regional book show, but from watching my friends and people like them do their own thing, it seems to be so much more fullfilling.
I guess that's why my show is named "My Own Voice" because I keep looking for things like starting with the nightclub show and other future projects where I get to express my own voice, my talents and my joy of performing.
Broadway is a wonderful place to work in its own right, don't get me wrong. I continue to go back to it as I will in March. But for me and a lot of colleagues with whom I work, it hasn't in general provided a vehicle to showcase my talents and I cannot say it has for the most part been artistically fulfilling. Once in a great while it has been an artistic enjoyment but usually it has served to pay the bills. Broadway is a challenging place to work and you work very hard and believe you me you are lucky, or rather, fortunate (people don't like me to call it luck) if you can get a job there. But only a handful of the people working on broadway have a real opportunity to show what they cand do. Most of the time you simply have to adjust and often times hold back in order to serve the piece you are doing. That's the nature of the beast.

So while I continue to work on "My Own Voice" and all that goes into it, some fun things have happened.
I go to open mikes which is something I never used to do. But I do it in the jazz clubs and some musical theatre open mikes as well just to stay in front of people as a solo artist and to stay in shape. Well there is a particular open mike run by a dear friend named Mark Janas (who is the musical director for my show now by the way.) It is at the Paris Commune (on the corner of Bank St. and Greenwhich St.) on Sunday nights between 7pm and 10pm. And there they mainly do musical theatre but they embrace any kind of music, pop, jazz, variety, original pieces. I usually do jazz/blues/contemporary although have also done a negro spiritual medley as well. They are receptive to all music. I've also met several other musicians that I enjoy and want to work with eventually.
Anyway, I met a wonderful songwriter named Steve Shalchlin who co-wrote and is currently in a show called the Big Voice: God or Merman playing off broadway at the Actors Temple on 47th St. between 8th & 9th. ( I HIGHLY recommend the show.) Anyway, he just happens to live a half block from me and we suggested getting together to try out some of his songs. He had some in mind for me having heard me sing. Now there is a possibility we may make a dance single out of one of the songs, which will be a lot of fun. He's currently talking with my producer and we will see what comes of that. Also several of his songs will be put into my show just because when I heard him singing them I immediately connected to them and had to sing them.

I'm also doing a reading at the York of a new musical with two cool parts and a 11 minute song. Yikes! But it will be fun to create new characters. I always enjoy that.

Working on a 3 person concert (The Songbird, The Black Irish Tenor & The Double Bass)(working title) with two dear friends of mine. It's in ground floor stages of planning right now.

Also planning to do a solo album in the fall of 2007, my first. Originally planned with my producer to do that in the spring of 2007 but lacked some of the funds so we will be hunting for backers, sponsers, patrons for the album to give us an opportunity to put out a really nice product.
Anybody wanna sponser my freshman album? I'll give you my info and current plan for the album as well as my producers name and number. Cheap plug right? Never hurts to ask.

And the final project came about through a cool experience.
During the 2006 Tonys ( I was performing on the Tony Awards in Pajama Game) I was back stage and I met James Earl Jones. Now mind you I have dubbed James Earl Jones voice for verizon commercial demos so he has probably heard my voice in his ear and not known it. Our voices turned out are not that different in terms of pitch and timber (sp?).
Anyway, he spoke with me for I guess about 15 minutes. (I was trying to get away as I do when I meet stars of that magnitude because I don't like to take up their time, but he was in no hurry)
And in our discussion, he suggested that I should do the one man show "Paul Robeson" by Phillip Hayes Dean. He said that he had originated it but didn't have the voice to sing the songs. ( I saw his version at the lincoln center library, great acting). Then he said that Avery Brooks had done it. (I saw him do it on broadway as well and he did a very nice job). Then he said that it has been a long time since it has been done and you have both the speaking and singing voice to do it. Now this show has been in my life for years, since I was out of college and I was even approached once in Florida to do it. But while Paul Robeson had always been (and still is) one of my heroes, I was not moved to do the piece. However now that I am older and have experienced a lot of things, places, feelings, desires and goals that I read about Paul Robeson I feel the time is right now. I can do the show with a huge understanding of who he is and who I am and bring that to light.
I was too young before to really get it.
So I have for the past few months and still am researching and reading about Paul Robeson and reading the script everyday.
Later, after I get my solo show more on it's feet for June 4th and my next Broadway show starts in May, (110 in the Shade, starring Audra MacDonald), after both of those projects are more secure, which will probably be Spring '07, I will begin to investigate how to get the Paul Robeson show done. Begin to look for a producer, director, theatre etc. and also begin staging and seriously working on the show.

So for me right now it's about creating your own vehicles. Like I said it's a lot of work. I already lose sleep trying to think of what to do with this song or who I need to speak to next, who I need to email, who I need to call, what I need to learn, learning finale software for musical arrangements.
MILLIONS of things run through my head.
But it's exciting and I love it!

How difficult it is to choose songs for "My Own Voice". I am very fortunate in that I have too many songs to choose from. Lists and lists. But I am listening listening listening to other songs and thinking over whether they will fit into a show. I discovered a whole new opening that I think I'm going to use instead of what I had planned for the past few weeks. I know I will have to pass on some songs that I am dying to sing. Also in working with a producer I may have to sing some songs I would not ordinarily sing. He has, however, steered me to a couple of songs that are quite beautiful. Most of all I don't want to sing anything that I have no connection with. I think it shows when someone sings a song that he/she just thinks is pretty but there is no emotional connection. For me, when I sing a song and there is no emotional connection, I fail. And I've seen the blank faces to prove it.
The other challenge right now it to begin to think of what I will say between songs and what type of format. Stories, anecdotes, that type of thing. I started writing down little stories about myself that I find funny or quirky that could possibly be used.
I started performing a mock of the opening to my show in my living room (i give my best performances there), just to see how the opening felt and whether it felt like it would work or not. Immediately I could hear changes that would need to be made. even though something might have sounded good in my head, when I say it out loud sometimes it doesn't work or needs to be refined. Also gives me an idea of a rhythm for the show. Something that I think needs to be paid attention to in order to keep the folks interested.
Gotta nail this stuff down though by January. Plus have to deal with asking musicians to do my show as well as my guest artist. Pull headshots & photos together so my producer can have publicity photos.
If I can figure out a free way to get it done I will get shots done of myself that are more specific to the show and singing etc. more slick, instead of just using regular headshots.
Somebody wanna take my pictcha?
In the midst of all this I also continue to work on other projects which I guess I haven't mentioned but will in another blog, maybe tomorrow.
Anyway, this is all fun & chanllenging so far.
Always great to work on something you love to do.

WELL THE DATE,TIME & PLACE OF MY SHOW ARE NOW CONFIRMED!
I will be playing at the Metropoliatan Room
 on June 4th at 9:30pm.
That's a great time slot!

Very cool and a little frightening at the same time to know the exact time it will be and have it be so far off.
Lots to do still like construct a show!

I also chose my music director and accompanist for the show.
I had a lot of people in mind
because of the type of music I would be doing.
But really I had one specific person in mind that has been a friend personally and professionally for 20 years now.
Especially for the first show,
 I need someone behind who I know has my back no matter what.
 I know what I will hear and know that everything is in control and I can just do my show!
It's also cool when a friend says to you,
"If you ever do your own show, I want to be the one to play for you. I would follow you all over the world!"
That's who you want behind you pushing you to your personal best! My producer gave me the ok on the music director after my having described his accomplishments
and his having met him in a lounge setting one evening.
So I'm happy as hell about the results!

Now it's about asking a special guest to come in and sing a couple of duets with me.
Also have to find the other three musicians:
 guitar, percussion and bass.
I have people in mind for all of these but talented people work a lot so one never knows if they will be available or not.
And most importantly, I've got to nail down by January what music I will be doing and start working on the arrangements.
Also gotta pick headshots etc.
which will be used for my publicity package.
It's challenging in a cool way
working with a producer and negotiating all of the details
Two visions meeting in the middle.

It's a brand new thing for me so I'm getting an education.

I love it!

Very cool. I love to learn!

Well I've finally decided to do my first solo show!
JUNE 4th!
We're hoping to be at the Metropolitan Room but that hasn't been decided.
Right now my working title is "My Own Voice"
That's because I've sung so many different ways for so many people doing broadway, gospel, classical, jazz, blues, soul, jingles, etc.
So now I get to express myself with "my own voice".
I figure now is a good time to start blogging about
preparing for the show and all the angst and passion that will go into it and share it with a community that knows what I'm talkin' about or likes to watch it come together.
I am working with a producer that I met doing a concert at Town Hall.
We've decided before doing my first album, that i will do a show.
(It's also cheaper until I find more monetary backing for an album)
Right now we are in the beginning stages.
Looking at and listening to music and variety of music.
There are so many incredible songs but to shape them into a show
and a well rounded one will take work.
Also thinking about who will be my Music Director for the show.
So many ways to go.
Scary as hell and fun all at the same time.
I always enjoy reading Kurt Elling's writings.
He's a wonderful jazz artist out of Chicago.
On his website he writes about his shows & audiences and thoughts on so many
aspects of jazz and performing and touring etc.
I figure I should do it since I am at the ground level.
I know a lot of people out there already know what goes into the process and will enjoy watching a newbie.
Well I am not exactly a newbie.
Broadway for 15 years (8 shows headin for my 9th) and concerts for just as many, plus singing in jazz clubs as well as performing all over the US, Europe, Canada in different languages no less.
So not a newbie performer by any means, but..
it will be my freshman solo show which will be a new endeavor.
So for those of you who like watchin it all come together,
stay posted! More to come.