Jazz singer Wanda Houston sustains a
bicoastal career for years, performing with
the likes of Barbra Streisand, Patti Austin,
Joe Cocker, and even a few shows on
Broadway. In 2006, she settled in the
Berkshires full time and has become such a
fixture in the local music scene that some
people assume she's been here forever.
Producer Dave Fraser caught up with Houston
at a recent performance in Lenox and shares
her story.
♫ Sweet love on one hand than ever ♫
Seeing people smile, and be happy, and having
a good time means everything to me -- and
dancing when they're dancing.
Oh, it just -- it thrills me.
Wanda Houston has enjoyed a career that has
taken her around the world, including major
metropolises on three continents.
But for more than a decade, she has made
southern Berkshire County her home and sings
with numerous groups throughout western New
England.
I've known about the Berkshires and didn't
know it was the Berkshires since I was nine
years old because my parents took me as a
family, went to see Alice's Restaurant.
Which was one of my favorite songs, I knew
all the words to that and I just loved the
story and I loved what it was about and then
we saw the movie and I went, Oh, what a
beautiful place. And everybody is -- Oh,
they're all together and they're all in
love. And there's, you know, Black and white
people all together.
It's got to be a -- that's a haven, it's a
beautiful place. One day I want to go there.
Houston was born in Chicago and grew up on
stage, she says.
Her dad ran a theater company and her mom
was a choir director.
I always knew that it was what I wanted to
do, but, you know, and my parents are like,
well, one, you know, it's it's it's it's not
an easy, you know, life -- and you should
have something to fall back on just in case
the music thing doesn't work.
So I went to college for chemistry because I
loved -- I love math and chemistry, so
that's what I went to school for.
And meanwhile I'm in the choir, I'm in doing
shows, I'm doing the plays I'm doing, and
I'm like, Who am I kidding?
You know, I'm I'm an entertainer.
I'm a singer.
For over two decades, she acted, sang,
danced, recorded, and made films.
She has shared the stage with Barbra
Streisand, Celine Dion, Martha and the
Vandellas and more.
I just want to work, you know?
I just wanted to sing. I just wanted to do
what I do and keep doing it, you know?
It wasn't so much about being famous and
that -- that happens, it happens, you know,
it wasn't about that. It was really about
the work and about -- and what that work
does for you and what it does for people.
♫ Knock, knock, knock at my door ♫
In 2006, she settled in the Berkshires full
time, and music fans have turned out in
droves to hear her sing.
The versatile songstress is part of a few
ensembles that travel around the region,
drawing in audiences with a mesmerizing mix
of mid 20th century jazz and R&B.
I have one in Connecticut called The HBH
Band, and we play primarily in Connecticut
and then the Wanda Houston band.
But it all mixes up -- sometimes they take
when they can't do it, this band goes down,
when this band can't do it this -- and then
sometimes I mix it all together.
♫ I just smile and say, He told me so.
That's why I know.
I know.
Hallelujah, I love him so ♫
Along with performing, Houston is also
minister of Music at Pittsfield's First
Baptist Church and collaborates with Music
In Common's Black Legacy Project.
Last year, she was recognized by Berkshire
magazine as one of the region's top 25
individuals who have made extraordinary
contributions to their community.
It's been great to be able to do what I love
and do it with people that I love and be
recognized for it. Are you kidding?
♫