There are moments in a performer’s life when you try something new and discover it changes everything. My July performance at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar was one of those moments. As many of you know I have been working away at this cabaret direction for some years and exploring what is possible, as a means of really finding my voice, in every sense.
Building on “Hear My Voice”
Many of you experienced my cabaret show Hear My Voice, which explored my complicated relationship with having a deep contralto voice and the journey I took toward embracing and celebrating it in my 40s and 50s. One of the show’s most powerful segments featured the early jazz and blues artists who shaped me, culminating in a medley that consistently left audiences wanting more. It was such a hard thing to select songs for that show as there are so many that have shaped me and it was a struggle to make the cuts. As we did 17 songs or parts there of, many people said to me later, I’d love to hear you sing more of that artist or the entire song instead of a section in the medley.
That response sparked an idea for our July performance at Gingers: why not explore this connection further and expand upon the celebration of my authentic voice and all the artists and songs that have shaped it? I crafted an evening that wove together the stories of these influential artists with my own personal experiences of how their music reached me at crucial moments. It’s amazing what you can find about artists when you go searching (Claude AI was my friend to assist!) and how many memories come back as you search through the songs to choose the repertoire, recalling what was happening in your life when you sang that song or the reasons that song resonated.
The July Experience
This storytelling format worked beautifully. I shared many stories and anecdotes, some about me, some about the artists, and more commonly about the cross section between the two. Nina Simone’s powerful story of taking a stand was one of them. She refused to perform at her first classical piano concert until her parents were able to take their rightful place in the front row after being pushed to the back. Like Nina, my classical background influences my approach and connection with pianist Ed (who shares this foundation too), but her willingness to use music to communicate powerful emotions – anger, sadness, hope – showed me that music could inspire change and shift perceptions when other methods fail.
I told how hearing Édith Piaf’s distinctive voice, fast vibrato and tone in Year 11 French made me feel like I belonged somewhere. In that moment when Madame Fennel played Non Je Ne Regrette Rien, I heard my voice in hers and knew in that moment that there was a place in music for female voices that didn’t fit conventional expectations.
The feedback was so positive that night about the stories, about my confidence and ease on stage and the power of my voice. Alot of this was improvised and therefore quite vulnerable but it proves that being real counts. We are looking forward to returning to Gingers with this format again on September 27th. Someone was moved by Nina’s story and wanted to explore more of her music tha just the ones they knew. Another looked up Storm Large after hearing how she influenced my cabaret journey. Audience members said they felt privileged to be let into my world and the world of the artists who have affected me , while hearing familiar songs in completely new ways. They came away feeling inspired, reflective and moved as well as entertained.
The thing is that these artists, the lives they lived and the hardships they endured, lived lives where many of them broke the rules, didn’t fit the norm or had to fight through so much to continue doing what they do. These artists, many of whom were women weren’t just musical influences; they helped shape my identity as both an artist and a woman. That performance felt less like performing and more like sharing something meaningful and intimate with friends. This is the delightful intimacy of cabaret where audiences get to know the artist’s inner world rather than just being entertained by vocal ability. There is something very unique about performing in an intimate space to a smaller audience – you see the reactions, you feed off them and your performance is shaped by the conversation and reactions and made so much more meaningful.
When Understanding Changes Everything
The response revealed something beautiful about what some audiences are truly hungry for. We crossed so many genres from jazz, to blues, to soul and even gospel and the stories with them.
Watching faces change when context met familiar melodies and new songs, seeing the recognition in people’s eyes when a personal story illuminated a familiar song – that’s when I knew we’d created something truly special together.
“When you understand why Nina Simone’s voice carried such authority, you’re not just hearing music – you’re participating in the conversation about what it means to be human.”
The Power of Connection
What struck me most was how ready people were for this kind of authentic artistic exchange. There’s a hunger for more than surface entertainment – a genuine curiosity about the stories behind the art. People want to understand, to discover, to feel something real in an increasingly manufactured entertainment landscape. Live, intimate performance cuts through all that noise to create something memorable.
Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar proved to be the perfect setting for this experiment. The intimate atmosphere, the vintage charm, the art on the walls, the fabulous food and wine, the way conversation flows naturally between sets, everything about the venue supports the kind of meaningful artistic exchange that transforms a night out into a lasting memory.
Why This Matters
In our fast-paced world, we sometimes lose touch with the stories that give art its power. We consume music quickly in reels on social media or on streaming platforms, often without context, missing the deeper connections that make certain songs endure across generations. This storytelling approach isn’t just about entertainment – it’s about preserving the cultural significance of these incredible artists for future generations and bringing something unique as the artist to their work.
“Some music can only be fully experienced when you understand why it matters.”
When you understand why Nina Simone’s voice carried such authority, why Édith Piaf’s vulnerability felt so brave, why Storm Large’s cabaret approach challenged conventions – suddenly you’re not just hearing music, you’re participating in the ongoing conversation about what it means to be human.
Know someone who always says “they don’t make music like they used to”? Share this with them – September 27th might just restore their faith in live music.
The Return to Gingers
On September 27th, I’m returning to Gingers with more stories, deeper connections, and that intimate magic that only happens when music and storytelling weave together to create memories worth savouring.
There are more influences to explore, more connections to discover, more moments where understanding transforms listening into something profound. The artists I will be showcasing are worth sharing, with songs that take on new meaning when you understand the person behind them and the person interpreting them.
An Invitation to Something Special
If you’ve been searching for musical experiences that go beyond surface entertainment, if you’re curious about the stories that shape artistic voices, if you believe that the best evenings are the ones that leave you thinking and feeling differently – September 27th at Gingers is calling.
“The best evenings are the ones that leave you thinking and feeling differently.”
Watch our for more teasers on social media this week – follow along to discover the unexpected connections that shaped my musical journey.
Because some music can only be fully experienced when you understand why it matters. And some evenings stay with you long after the final note fades.
When: Saturday, September 27th
Where: Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar
What: An evening where music meets meaning, and stories transform songs
The experiment continues. Will you be part of it?
We would love to share it with you
Alex and Ed