'Love, Janis' a boomers' dreamy flashback | www.azstarnet.com ®

'Love, Janis' a boomers' dreamy flashback www.azstarnet.com ®:

'Love, Janis' a boomers' dreamy flashback
By Kathleen Allen
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona Published: 03.26.2007

"Tucson's Lisa Otey ripped up the keyboards with a bluesy command. "

Tubac Jazz, Blues Fest scheduled for March 31

Tubac Jazz, Blues Fest scheduled for March 31
Friday, March 16, 2007 9:27 AM PDT

Covering all of Santa Cruz County, AZ - Nogales International

Art and history will meet again when the Tubac Jazz and Blues Festival returns to Parque de Anza on Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m."Following the tremendous success of last year's inaugural festival, the event promises to be an extraordinary day of musical performances that are not to be missed," a spokesman said.Brasher Real Estate, the Tucson Jazz Society and the Tubac Chamber of Commerce will present the event featuring: From 10 a.m-10:45 a.m. swing to the big band music of JAZZWERX; from 11 .am.-11:30 a.m. enjoy young talent with the Rio Rico High School Jazz Band; from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. savor the sounds of Lisa Otey and the Desert Divas; from 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m. the contemporary jazz group and Grammy-nominated Les Baxter Factor takes the stage; from 1:45p.m.-2:30 p.m. "Blues, Brazilian and Bop" with Soundscape Sedona; from 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. relish straight ahead jazz with Joe Bourne and the Tucson All-Stars; from 3:45 p.m.-5 p.m. the Phoenix Jazz Divas will bring the festivities to a rousing finale.Tickets are $28 per adult, $14 for children 12 and under, and are available online at www.TubacJazz.com.Tickets will also be available through the Tucson Jazz Society (520) 903-1265, and the Tubac Chamber of Commerce (520) 398-2704.Seating and visors will be provided.

Sultry blues at baggage claim | www.azstarnet.com ®

Sultry blues at baggage claim www.azstarnet.com ®:

Sultry blues at baggage claim
By M. Scot Skinner
skinner@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona Published: 03.15.2007
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When Tucson International Airport put out a call for musicians who wanted to perform in its remodeled baggage-claim area, the first one who phoned was Lisa Otey.

A blues vocalist and pianist who has performed at countless venues in the Old Pueblo over the years, Otey was promptly booked — but that's not all.

A go-getter of the first order, Otey gave TIA some pointers and helped put this unusual concert series together, said Paula Winn, a spokeswoman for the airport.

Otey kicked off the Live at Tucson International Airport series with an hourlong set Monday afternoon. Standing at the keyboard and with her voice sounding as strong, sultry and nuanced as ever, she performed "Stormy Weather," "Georgia on My Mind" and other jazz standards. At one point, she even managed to get a call-and-response thing going.

"Welcome to Tucson," she said, playfully interacting with travelers. "For those arriving on United flight 1208 from Denver, your bags will arrive shortly on Carousel Three."
She laughed.
"I always wanted to be an announcer," she said.

Otey, among the hardest-working divas in town, seemed to take seriously her role as the airport's tuneful greeter for the hour.
"Before y'all head out into that hot sun, relax and have yourself an iced mocha or maybe a cookie," she said.

Along the way, she plugged Arizona Theatre Company's "Love, Janis," which opens in previews next Thursday and continues through April 9 at the Temple of Music and Art. Otey plays keyboards and sings backing vocals in the production.

Otey saluted the Janis Joplin musical with a lively, fresh take on "Me and Bobby McGee."
The day after the airport show, she looked back and called it "a cool gig."
"Some folks treated it like a brown bag concert. We had about 10 that came just for the show."

The crowds will be a bit larger on March 31 when Lisa Otey and the Desert Divas perform at the Tubac Jazz & Blues Festival. The ensemble should hit the stage at 11:45 a.m.
For information about other upcoming shows, go to www.lisaotey.com.

Forget dinner and a show; try these Valentine's dates | www.azstarnet.com ®

Forget dinner and a show; try these Valentine's dates www.azstarnet.com ®:

Forget dinner and a show; try these Valentine's dates
By Gerald M. Gay
ggay@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona Published: 01.25.2007

"You already make beautiful music together. Take a break and watch others make it with a trip to Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., for some 'Hot Love,' the third installment of a series that looks at the sensual side of music. "

La voz y el estilo de Lisa Otey llegan a Málaga

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/181027/voz/estilo/Lisa/

Versión para imprimir

Portada/Noticias Malaga

CONTRATOS JAZZ-BLUES

La voz y el estilo de Lisa Otey llegan a Málaga

E. I. 12.12.2006 - 01:41h

Dicen que es la cantante preferida de Tucson (Arizona), y la realidad es que su personal estilo –una mezcla entre Elvis, Billie Holiday y el hot jazz piano– es cada vez más apreciado en el mundo del jazz y el blues por su sofisticación y sensualidad.

Este amante de la música está atado al toque de la guitarra(Pezdoble).

Se ha hecho merecedora de muchos premios, incluyendo los Tammies.

Su voz sonará esta noche en el Centro Cultural Provincial acompañada por un contrabajo y una batería. Una oportunidad única.

* Centro Cultural Provincial. C/ Ollerías, s/n. A las 21.00 h. 1,5 €.

20minutos.es El primer periódico que no se vende

Lisa Otey's 'Hot Love' | www.tucsoncitizen.com (r)

Lisa Otey's 'Hot Love' www.tucsoncitizen.com ®

Published: 07.17.2006

Lisa Otey's 'Hot Love'

Audience participation big part of passion show

HEIDI ROWLEY
Tucson Citizen

Strawberries and cream with a hint of sweet seduction were just the pre-show over the weekend at Tucson singer Lisa Otey's cabaret show, "Hot Love."

Seven performers sang love songs while serenading, caressing and flirting with audience members.

Tucsonan Robert Weidensaul sat two rows back in the intimate table- and-chairs setting and was picked on several times by cast members.

They hugged him, rubbed his face or played with his hair during Sunday's show, attended by more than 70 people.

"I like interacting," he said with a smile afterward. "It was very enjoyable."

Regina Wills' solo, "The First Time I Saw Your Face," captured his heart, he said.

"This cast took an ordinary Sunday summer afternoon and turned it into something special," said Tucsonan Barbara Russek. "This was so sparkly."

Russek attended the show with three friends from Sierra Vista.

Her friends took part in the pre-show when cast members Jaime Walker and Zach Sparrow walked from table to table, feeding strawberries and whipped cream to willing parties.

"This is outstanding," said Lissa Staples before the show.

She said that she and her tablemates engaged in a candy fight with the free M&Ms that were on every table.

The table decorations also included Hershey's Kisses and rose petals.

"We wanted to make sure all their senses were filled," cast member Diane Van Deurzen said. "It's intimate and close, so they felt passion and love before the show even started."

The show included songs and poems, all encompassing the theme of love and passion.

Among the numbers: "It's Too Hot for Words," "Makin' Whoopee" and "Fever."

During the song "Hungry," audience members were again fed strawberries and cream by Todd Luethjohann, who was singing at the time.

Three more performances will be held next weekend.

Some of the poems were written by Van Deurzen and Wills.

"I wanted it to be love in all its diversity," Otey said. "I wanted everyone to feel all warm and cuddly and fuzzy."

Gary Syers and Patricia Thorson, who were celebrating her birthday, called the cabaret experience "a warm, loving place."

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2 Total Comments — See All Comments

1. Comment by alex c. (#4381) — July 17,2006 @ 1:48PM

The photo has me singing "Jenny Craig"

2. Comment by mstr e. (#6610) — July 17,2006 @ 3:22PM

some people have to much time and money to kill

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Pick of the Week - Diva Delight

Tucson Weekly Print Friendly: http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/cityweek/Content?oid=82104

PUBLISHED ON MAY 11, 2006: Pick of the Week Diva Delight By IRENE MESSINA Lisa Otey and the Desert Divas When Lisa Otey was a child, there was no question what her future career would be. At the age of 4, she was asked by her musician parents what instrument she would like to play. As Otey recalls, she wasn't asked if she wanted to play, but what she wanted to play. Years later, as a UA student studying with jazz pianist Jeff Haskell, Otey's roommate asked what her future plans were. When Otey replied that she wanted to play the piano, her roommate asked what she would do if it didn't work out. "I have to play," said Otey. "That's all I know how to do." Some 20 years later, Otey is still playing strong. With many CDs and awards under her belt, including several TAMMIES (including 1997 Musician of the Year), the 2000 Arizona Composer of the Year award and a 2001 Arizona Blues Hall of Fame induction, Otey shows no signs of slowing down. Her independent record label, Owl's Nest Productions, celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2004. About six years ago, Otey was asked by artistic director Susan Claassen to perform at Invisible Theatre's Sizzling Summer Sounds series. Claassen wanted to tribute favorite divas. Otey invited local female performers to join her, and Claassen named them the Desert Divas. Today's Divas are a different crew from the original lineup. They are: Hurricane Carla (Carla Brownlee), Anna Warr, Diane Van Deurzen, Regina "The Queen" Wills, Liz McMahon and Otey. (Member Kathleen Williamson moved to New York.) For Otey, the group is a wish come true. "I was wanting to do a show with all women. It gave me that opportunity to showcase that area. ... When I had the idea to do this, Anna and Carla were the first ones on my list. ... It's a great showcase for everyone. They get an opportunity to be seen in a large group as this. Every person can carry the show. It's a group of headliners." Hurricane Carla has been a member of Tony and the Torpedoes, Kings of Pleasure and the Carnivaleros (according to cdbaby.com). Besides wailing on her saxophone, Carla sings with "a classic '40s and '50s sound," says Otey. "She (produces) a powerful saxophone sound and has a voice like Peggy Lee." Deemed "The Goddess of Love," Anna Warr has been a staple of the Tucson music scene for the past 20 years. "I got to watch her grow as a performer," says Otey. "She has (the audience) in the palm of her hand. She has a voice like Etta James." Diane Van Deurzen has been helping Otey behind the scenes with the Divas for the past five years. After performing as a guest Diva, Van Deurzen officially joined the group last year. Otey and Van Deurzen have been singing together for the past six years at St. Francis in the Foothills. "I love singing with her," says Otey. "She has so much to offer." Regina "The Queen" Wills also joined the Divas last year after performing as a guest Diva. She was introduced to Otey by friends. "She kept her talent quiet. Her friends said she had to let it out. (When I first heard her), she was just amazing. It's great to see her shine," says Otey. Liz McMahon has left the group temporarily to star in Invisible Theatre's Cookin' With Gus. She'll be back with the Divas later this year. "We will miss her this time," says Otey. "We wish her a great run." The Desert Divas perform "a fun mixture of songs," explains Otey. "It's all about embracing the diva within. The songs are positive and affirming. We don't have a lot of songs about heartache." A performance is likely to include the group's original songs, plus popular songs with blues, pop, rock and R&B styles. The singers put their own influence into each song with diva-like interpretations. On their 2004 release, Viva la Diva!, there's a bluesy, soulful interpretation of '70s hit "Disco Inferno" that gets the audience hopping. "It's always a high-energy show," says Otey. "We range in age from 35 to 50. It empowers women in the audience. Women our age think you have to be 20-something to do this. Women tell us how empowering it is. They realize there is no reason they can't do what they want to do." Encouragement also extends to new singers. Otey likes to have special guest Divas perform, and oftentimes, one is a younger performer. Past performers have been Elise Ackermann, daughter of Gaslight Theatre's musical director Linda Ackermann, and a young dance group from India. Inspiring others seems to be something that Otey does naturally with her positive mindset. "In 20 years, if I thought I'd like to do something such as play at a bar, get invited to play at a festival or on a record ... it all happened. I know that if I put the thought out there, I know I can trust that the opportunity will come. You have to trust that things will be OK. When you put your dreams out there, they meet you half way." Lisa Otey and the Desert Divas will perform a "Diva-Day Celebration" concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 13, at Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door, $18 in advance, $15 for Tucson Jazz Society members, $10 for graduates and children 12 and younger. Tickets are available online at http://www.lisaotey.com/, by calling 370-5912, or at the door.