Known as South Carolina’s First Lady Of Song, Loretta Holloway is not in favour of being called a diva. “My speciality is singing standards from the Great American Songbook, with some blues, soul and contemporary songs thrown in,” she says. Tonight Holloway will perform a vast repertoire of her range. Earlier in the week, the singer had performed at the Royal Opera House, before heading to Bengaluru. “This is my first visit to India, though I have performed in China, Japan, Thailand, Russia and Egypt. I am enjoying the warmth of the people here, and tasting a variety of food,” she says.
Holloway explains that her speciality is to add a theatrical element to her stage performances. She has starred in the New York production Mama I Want To Sing II , besides acting in the movies Pure Country , with George Strait, and Elvis And Me . She has also sung in the soundtrack of Black Jack . “I try to involve myself in a variety of things connected with music. Live concerts are a special thrill, of course. I have a huge voice over a small body. My repertoire includes songs like ‘Route 66’, ‘The Way We Were’ and ‘New York State Of Mind’, besides some of my solo songs,” she says.
Often confused with disco artiste Loleatta Holloway, the singer says her biggest influences have been Nancy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin. “Aretha's demise comes as a huge loss. Her legacy is everlasting,” she points out. A familiar face on the Las Vegas and Atlantic City scene, Holloway has opened for headliners Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, Whoopi Goldberg, Rich Little and Jerry Lewis. The Chicago Sun Times has voted her the best jazz singer in Chicago. Boxing fans have seen her singing the American National Anthem for champions Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya. “I try and do a variety of thing, and I work hard on my act. I just want to have fun,” she concludes.
Loretta Holloway will perform at The Quarter, Royal Opera House, Girgaum at 9 p.m. this evening; tickets are ₹1999 onwards and are available at insider.in
