Although she grew up in Texas singing gospel music in church and studied classical voice at Louisiana State University, Quiana Lynell wasn’t serious about a music career until she was around 30-years-old. She decided to develop her talents as a jazz singer and set her sights on the Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, which she won in 2017. The next year she recorded her debut album, A Little Love, which captures the scope of her artistry with swinging standards, raucous rhythm and blues, classic soul, and gospel-inspired Civil Rights anthems.
Quiana Lynell brings her wide-ranging vocal talents to Sioux Falls on Friday, November 19th with her Pillow Talk show.
The Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society originally booked the Louisiana-based singer for a performance in March of 2020, but the concert was canceled in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. With concert venues shut down across the country, Lynell was forced to put her career on hold at a crucial stage. She describes herself as an “emerging artist” and says it was difficult to emerge with no gigs. But now she says it’s great to be back on the road and singing for audiences again.
“Things are definitely different,” she explains. “It’s a different energy. I think everyone’s much more grateful and appreciative of the moments we can spend together. The energy in the room is heightened.”
Despite the months away from performing, Lynell doesn’t think she’s lost anything and believes she’s still in shape musically. “As an artist, the things we go through definitely shape and contour our art,” she says. “I think I’ve adjusted and made the necessary growth and changes that were needed during that time. Anything that’s happened is a part of my story and artistry.”
Like many other musicians and artists, recent events have caused her to think more deeply about her life as an artist. “Before I was much more willing to do what other people wanted me to do musically,” she says. “I was a lot more open to bending my standards for things or what I felt I should do. I had been kind of impressionable up until this point. The last year-and-a-half reminded me of whom I have to answer to when the chips are down. At the end of the day, I have to answer to myself. I’m definitely focused on what Quiana wants to do. And making a place for Quiana and Quiana’s artistry at this time.”
Lynell says the pandemic has clarified her duty to reflect the times and to be a muse for others who don’t have the same artistic release. “Sometimes I don’t want to talk about the things I’m going through,” she says. “But then I realize I’m not speaking for myself. I’m the messenger for thousands of people who can’t put into words and melody what they’re feeling. That’s a responsibility that I have.”
Lynell says her new Pillow Talk show was developed with her long-time accompanist Daniel Meinecke and is a child of the pandemic times. “It’s based on the intimate conversations I’ve had with myself or with those I love on different pillows throughout the last year-and-a-half,” she explains. “My pillows know all of my secrets and fears.”
At the heart of the show is love. “I’m a fan of love and the way love affects all of our relationships, and not just the romantic ones,” she says. “One of my biggest takeaways from this time is that all of our relationships are really the same. Whether they’re with your children or a lover. They all require the same basic things. And that really hit home while I’ve been home.”
Lynell promises to sing the roof off of the Orpheum Theater when she’s in Sioux Falls. “I am elated every time I get to hit the stage,” she says. “I know I used say that all of the time. I built this career and worked hard to get where I am. But now I’m a lot more strategic about when I’m performing, so I’m not out all the time. When I go out now it’s like you’re about to get all of this love I’ve been holding in.”
The Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society presents Quiana Lynell’s Pillow Talk show Friday, November 19 at 8 pm in the Orpheum Theater. For tickets and more information, you can visit theSioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society’s website.