Photo via zenithrecords.com

American singer brings her passion to Liverpool’s Festival of Hope

Among those invited to take part in last month's Festival of Hope, held in Liverpool's cultural quarter, was Toscha Comeaux, who has performed with Diana Ross and Ray Charles, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

According to Zenith Records website, Comeaux was born in Hartford Connecticut, receiving her musical grounding in the Church in the tradition of so many great American singers. She was trained at the Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Arts, obtaining a bachelors degree in choral performance.

From there she gained a scholarship to the Bethune Cookman College Concert Choral in Daytona and performed with the Connecticut Opera and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Her principal love has always been mainstream jazz, soul and R & B.

The site says she has shared the stage with such greats as Lou Rawls, the late Ray Charles and Diana Ross, but now she is making a mark in her own right with the release of her debut album ‘This Could Be Love.’

Comeaux was invited by Liverpool Lighthouse Church to be one of the artists performing on the main stage at the Anglican Church outside at the Anglican Cathedral on Hope Street.

She was asked by Peter Wooding, Senior News Editor for UCB UK Radio about her singing career. "Tell us about how that all started and how that’s developed up until today?"

"I went to Bethune Cookman College which is now Bethune Cookman University. I was part of the choir and some of the Choral students were invited to sing on different occasions, for instance with Diana Ross -- she gave me the microphone and that was that. I didn’t want to give it back to her -- I think I got star struck and then stuck with the mike! But that was my opportunity to sing with her. She’s pretty cool. I also sang with Ray Charles along with the choir that I was a part of and we sang America the Beautiful."

What was Ray Charles like to perform with?

"He’s awesome. Just to be around him is enough. Just the feeling of being around him and what an icon he was in our music."

Wooding wanted to know Comeaux's thoughts on the musical gift that God has given her and the opportunities she's had to share that gift around the world?

"My mother always says even at my age now 'remember where you got your gift from who gave you your gift and always, always give Him thanks for that and use it for His glory. Do what you’re going to do, but remember that you have to lift Him up as well, because you didn’t give yourself the gift of song.'"

What did she think about performing in a city that has such a reputation for music around the world with the influence of The Beatles?

"Well I’ve never been to England (before) and I mean it’s awesome experience for me to be a part of so many different tastes of music. I’m just glad to be here. I’m glad to be a part of it, and I’m soaking in all of what I’m getting and hearing around me."

This was a Christian event that the churches have come together in a city to put on. How did she feel about that?

"I think it’s great. I believe this is the first event no matter where you are whether it’s England, USA, or any other country -- you have to have hope, you have to have faith, and you have to believe that God will take you through whatever it is you’re going through."

Comeaux was also asked about her CD.

"'This Could Be Love' is the title of the CD. All the songs, with the exception of two, were written by a gentleman from England who came to the States looking for a vocalist to sing his songs. The gentleman’s name is Peter Yeats. His record label is Zenith Records and I am the premier artist off the label and the first song off of the CD is 'This Could Be Love.' I guess you could say that this CD takes you through different aspects of Jazz. There’s Brazilian music on it, two marvelous Brazilian guitarists on the second cut which is 'Don’t Turn Around,' which has a Latin, Brazilian, feel. The first one, which I’ve mentioned before -- This Could Be Love -- is more R & B, like Anita Baker. Then you have swing, then a light Reggae number, then a light blues tune and a waltz type of song. So you go through all of these different musical moods, which I think complements the CD."

Comeaux concluded: "I just want to say to the people to please once this day is over with don’t lose hope, let this be a jumpstart for the hope in your life so that it will transcend through you and bounce off of you and hit the next person, and then this will just be a hope-filled city!"

[07/12/2008]

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