ARTSPEAK RADIO- 2020 THE BEST_______YEAR EVER (part ll)

Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 12noon – 1pm CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd presents the 2nd part of the year end special, 2020 THE _______YEAR EVER.

2020 THE ______ YEAR EVER
To say the least, the year 2020 has become infamous for a plethora of reasons. Based on your point of view, beliefs, experiences, what reflections and/or revelations comes to mind; what have you discovered about yourself, human nature, the world? What did 2020 have in store for you? What are your final thoughts about 2020?
We’ve asked artists, writers, performers, musicians, and creatives in the community to reflect and share with us about their 2020 experience. What was 2020 like for you?

We’ll hear original stories and curated songs from our contributors; Noah Davis, Jessica Paige, and Eboni Fondren that reflect their responses.

JESSICA PAIGE is a master storyteller, translating personal experience into music that is sophisticated, diverse in its influences, and instantly relatable. Her commanding voice has been described as equal parts Norah Jones and Janis Joplin, an uncommon union of sultry warmth and raw power.
I spent most of my childhood running around our Kansas Farm. I have a memory from around six years old, jumping on my bed, singing into a plastic microphone and proclaiming that I would be a singer. I’ve always felt fortunate to have known my passion in life. After learning to play chords on the piano as a teenager, I was finally able to put music to the melodies and lyrics I had been writing. It felt like a part of myself had been set free. I began to perform my own music, which was terrifyingly vulnerable, but taught me the beauty of connecting your soul and story to a room of people.
Continuing to develop as an artist, I started traveling. Being on the road allowed self-reflection and exploration. Both through my own, humanity and through stories that were given to me by other souls. I was able to try and communicate through song on a deeper level. After traveling, I moved back to Kansas to take care of my aging Grandmother. The perspective I gained, fundamentally changed the way I think about life and love. I realized how short our existence is, and that to love someone is a privilege.
Shortly after she passed, I dove headfirst back into pursuing music full-time. I recorded my first album “Sweet Nothings” with an amazing set of talented Nashville-based artists and producers. The album is a reflection of the life-cycle of a relationship; the exciting and insecure beginnings to the lamenting demise of something that was once beautiful. The single released from the album, “Beautiful Life,” is a soul-pop reflection of someone trying to reconcile the conflicting emotions of trying to rescue or walk away from a relationship, while still appreciating how beautiful it is to love, regardless of how things turnout. While working on “Sweet Nothings,” I was touring acoustically thought the United States, and recently, settled in to Kansas City to start working with a full band and laying the groundwork for my next album.
My own music has been described as a melding of “folk, story-telling lyricism,” “soulful” vocals and “indie-pop” instrumentals creating an overall “bluesy-pop” sound. For me it’s a chance to explore my favorite sounds and influences.
I combine musical elements from classic rock/blues legends; Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt with the tone and style of modern artists like Brandi Carlile, Norah Jones, Sara Bareillis, Ingrid Michaelson, ZZ Ward, Sam Smith and James Morrison. You can see those featured prominently on “Sweet Nothings.” My upcoming work combines those same storytelling themes with more exploratory structure and sound.
Jess
www.jesspaige.com

NOAH DAVIS- In early 2019, Noah and the guys (Noah and Heavy Electric) began playing together as well as working on new material for their new album, “Heart” released 2/14/20. Their high energy shows have received great reviews with each show being a unique soul experience. Noah David and Heavy Electric members are Noah Davis: guitar/vocals, Anthony Trabucco: drums, Kyle Henry: Keys/harmonic/vocals, and Jeffrey Champion: bass.
Noah Davis and Heavy Electric are on Facebook and noahdavismusic.bandcamp.com and Instagram @noahdavismusickc

EBONI FONDREN is an accomplished vocalist/actress/voice over artist that has been working in and around the Kansas City area for the past 18years.
Dynamic vocalist and entertainer Eboni Fondren, brings passion and excitement whenever she takes the stage. Her precise readings of jazz standards, which she seasons with a dash of R&B, fill a room with energy and delight. With a smooth and sultry finish, audiences will be enchanted by her lyrical interpretation and ability to draw an audience in leaving them wanting more.
Fondren is an accomplished singer and actress that has been working in and around the Kansas City area for the past 15 years. She delights audiences with her group “Eboni and the Ivories”, The Everette DeVan Quartet, pianists Charles Williams, Mark Lowrey and with Joe Cartwright as host of the nationally syndicated radio show 12th Street Jump. She is also a lead singer in KC’s hottest party band Lost Wax. As an actress and voice over artist, she has lit up the stage with feature roles at some of Kansas City’s top Theatre Companies in productions like “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Hairspray” and “Ain’t Misbehavin”. Her voice can be heard every time you visit an AMC Theater telling you to turn off your phone and she recently became the new voice for the Kansas City Royals “Raised Royal” season campaign.

@ebonifondrenmusic  · Musician/Band

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