East Lansing, MI – During an interview with The New Citizens Press, we asked Mardra how she got her first name since it’s so unusual.
“Is it a family name?”
“No,” she replied, “My parents made it up for me.”
That’s just one of the things that makes this newcomer to the Lansing area so unique. Moving here just over a year ago when her husband Reggie Thomas became a Michigan State University (MSU) professor in the Jazz Studies department, she left behind, in her birthplace of St. Louis, a big reputation as not only a singer, but an actress.
Her music career was sparked in that Missouri city when she performed for the opening of Dizzy Gillespie’s 70th Birthday Concert. Shortly thereafter she found herself trading scat solos with world-class trumpeter Clark Terry while performing with the East St. Louis Lincoln Big Band under the direction of renowned educator Ronald Carter.
“As a young woman, performing for and with these monumental legends gave me a chance to take some giant steps. These gentlemen all helped in teaching me to ‘keep it real’ and let my own personality come through the music.”
Her sultry voice can be heard in radio and television spots and is released on CD recordings such as “Fade to Blue” (Max Jazz Records), “Standard Times” (Victoria Records), as the Flying Jazz Kitten in Sharon Burch’s “Freddie the Frog” music educational book/CD series. (Mystic) Mardra is also featured on the newly released MSU Professors of Jazz CD “Better Than Alright.”
Mardra Thomas is also known for her realistic portrayal of Billie Holiday in concert and on the theatrical stage. She has a voice well suited to showcase Holiday’s sculptured phrasing, which stamped a signature style on jazz singing.
“Critics say Thomas may be the best vocalist to interpret Holiday,” wrote St. Louis Jazz Notes.
“We’re coming up on the 100th anniversary of Billie’s birth,” Mardra says. “In the next couple of years I’d like to do more in stage play format about this incredible person. I hope, perhaps in the spring, to share her music, life and legacy at a venue in the Lansing area.”
This theater background adds an extra dimension to her interpretations of song lyrics and her performances. The entertainer component of Mardra Thomas has to be experienced live to be understood. Coming from St. Louis, she never strays from the blues, even though billed as a jazz artist. In short, there’s much to be discovered about this lovely, talented woman.
Mid-Michigan audiences will soon find out for themselves what this fresh addition to the area music scene has to offer. She will be doing two shows almost back to back at The Creole Gallery in Old Town. The first show is October 11th at 7 p.m., followed on Sunday, October 14th at 2 p.m. Seating is a bit limited so visit www.eventbrite.com and search “Welcome to My World” to purchase tickets in advance. You can also email MRTManagement@comcast.net. She’ll be backed at both shows by husband Reggie on piano, Rodney Whitaker on bass and Randy Gelispie on drums.
Mardra’s voice has been center stage at music festivals around the world, from Washington to Wisconsin, Atlanta to Amsterdam.
Expect to be captivated as she welcomes us into her world at this solo concert, and we, in turn, welcome her into our Greater Lansing family. She is a special addition indeed and one audience’s will want to see and hear around town for a long time to come.
This was printed in the October 7, 2012 – October 20, 2012 Edition
