I sing because I love to…
     And this love puts me in touch with the best part of myself.

I sing jazz because I love to…
     And this love keeps me connected to my African-American cultural heritage.

Growing up in the black community on the South Side of Chicago, I was surrounded by great music. We listened to all kinds of vocal and instrumental jazz, from small ensembles to big bands, be-bop artists and New Orleans-style swing. There was also Chicago-style blues, Motown, R&B and classical music played on any given day at my house and at the houses of other family members and friends. I have been engaged in music-making since I was a little girl, and now on this website, I hope to share my music with you.

In the notes for my first CD, We Belong Together, I wrote:

“I feel that it’s important to create markers for ourselves as we travel through life. It’s so easy to forget the stages we have grown through on our journey through this world. The past becomes a blur of experience and emotion. It has taken me a long time to get to this point. I am overflowing with emotion, the desire to create and to share my creative vision with others. So I decided to record a collection of songs which “speak” to me and thereby build a bridge to share my emotions with you.”

I am still creating markers with each CD I record. I look for songs that speak to me, absorb them and re-express the composer’s work of art filtered through my own personal voice. I am fortunate to have the company of other creative musicians who lend their voices to my work. Jazz is a collaborative art form to which all the players bring a unique contribution. It is with deep humility and gratitude that I express my gift.

As you navigate my website, you will hear my own unique, personal voice. A singing voice and a speaking voice. It is my dream that you find enjoyable, uplifting material on this site and that you share my voice with others in your special events, concerts, films, training, educational and marketing projects. As we support each other in our dreams so the dream gets bigger and the world becomes a better place for everyone.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in the music,

Linda Tate