Sony Holland and her stellar band are back with a stirring tribute to British, blue-eyed soul icon, Dusty Springfield. Sony’s expressive and powerful voice pairs perfectly with Dusty’s wide-ranging repertoire. Ms. Holland got her start singing for tourists at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Eventually she earned her way to appearances in some of the country's top music venues from coast to coast including the Blue Note NYC, Herb Alpert's Vibrato in LA and the SF Jazz Center. Along with anchoring a three year residency at the Ritz-Carlton SF Holland has worked internationally with extended tours of Asia to include The New York Bar at Park Hyatt Tokyo, The Sirocco Room at Bangkok's Lebua Hotel and The Intercontinental Hotel Hong Kong, singing with an array of jazz combos.
In 1963 Dusty had her first international hit with the song, I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU. She was on her way to becoming England’s most popular recording artist. She was a dynamo with a golden voice. Many of the eras producers, songwriters and musicians jumped at the chance to work with her. Ms. Holland says, “For anyone who isn’t familiar with Dusty you’ll love this show and you'll recognize many of the songs she recorded and performed over her 40 year career. She sang in genres from folk, (Water Is Wide, Wayfaring Stranger) to Motown, (Can I Get A Witness, Get Ready) to pop, (Angel of the Morning, How Can I Be Sure, Goin’ Back).” Burt Bacharach and Hal David penned the song, THE LOOK OF LOVE. Dusty's recording of the song was featured in the 1967 Bond film, Casino Royale. Vicki Wickham, (Dusty's friend and manager), and Simon Napier-Bell (English record producer, manager, author) wrote English lyrics to a song Dusty heard at the Sanremo Festival one year. The following day Dusty recorded YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME. It became her most successful international hit and her signature song. Her most critically acclaimed album, Dusty In Memphis, includes SON OF A PREACHER MAN, WINDMILLS OF YOUR MIND and the cult classic, BREAKFAST IN BED.
Ms. Holland delves into Dusty’s life story. In 1965 Dusty introduced Martha and The Vandellas, The Supremes, Smokey and The Miracles, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye to a European audience for the first time on the BBC music television program, READY, STEADY, GO.
As a gay woman navigating superstardom in the 60’s, Dusty inspired generations of singers… Adele, Chrissie Hynde, Annie Lennox, Shelby Lynne, Amy Winehouse, Lisa Stansfield and more.
In between Sony’s updated takes on these great songs, she sprinkles in compelling stories from Ms. Springfields career. You won’t want to miss this show.
