Jazz singer Wanda Houston sustained a bi-coastal career for years. Houston has performed on stage with the likes of Barbara 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.
Read the full transcript:
Zydalis Bauer, Connecting Point: Jazz singer Wanda Houston sustained 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 … ♫
Wanda Houston, Singer/Performer: 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.
Dave Fraser, Connecting Point: 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.
Wanda Houston: 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.”
Dave Fraser: 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.
Wanda Houston: 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.”
Dave Fraser: 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.
Wanda Houston: 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, knocking on my door… ♫
Dave Fraser: 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.
Wanda Houston: 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 — 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, yes, I know. Hallelujah, I love him so ♫
Dave Fraser: 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.
Wanda Houston: 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?
♫ Oh, he kisses me, and holds me tight! ♫
