Personnel for "Movin' On":
Lucy Smith, vocals;
Marcin Fahmy, piano & keyboards;
Jeff Hanley, acoustic and electric bass;
Michael Caskey, drums & percussion;
Greg Ward, alto saxophone;
Marques Carroll, trumpet;
Anthony Gravino, guitar; and
Cheryl Corley, lead vocals (I-N-F-I-D-E-L-I-T-Y)
Influences
My FAMILY, Nina Simone, Burt Bacharach, Mahalia Jackson, Joni Mitchell, Kenny Barron, Abbey Lincoln, Patti Austin, Patricia Barber, Miles Davis, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, Funkadelic, Bach, Betty Carter, Charlie Haden, Cassandra Wilson, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Josh White, Peace, Justice, ...
I grew up in Chicago. Our living room had a wall covered, floor to ceiling, with mirrored tiles that reflected what was happening outside on Racine Avenue. A console stereo (encased speakers, turntable AND an AM/FM radio) sat in the corner of the room. I was in my own kinda heaven. I spent hours listening to and singing along with Josh White, Nina Simone, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Trini Lopez, Mariam Makeba, Eric Carmen, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and (yes) Barry Manilow. I’d sing and dance myself into a frenzy -- the mirrors ensuring my cool steps and the perfect positioning of my pen (or pencil) microphone. I wanted to be everyone I sang along with and go wherever they went...I still do.
Now I make my own music. I love to groove and make pretty sounds; to swing and close my eyes and listen to what’s around me. When I’m not singing, I’m an audience member…even when I’m on stage. I say…“right on!”… “awright now!” I smile and sometimes I even cry. Music is the boss of me.
I lead my own quartet…The Lucy Smith Quartet. I write poetry and music and enjoy rearranging what others have composed. I perform in and around the Chicago area: from nightclubs and neighborhood festivals to the grandest of private affairs. I encounter amazing musicians, teachers and fans – they sustain me.
LUCY SMITH: Movin' On
Jazz, Blues, Funk, beautiful ballads and a few more surprises -- Lucy Smith's vocals are full of joyous soul. You'll have some serious fun with Lucy's mix of old and new tunes.
