Song swaps are fun!! Lots of different talent thrown together and inspiring each other.

TRICIA ALEXANDER– Joy-filled, uplifting and inspiring are some of the words used to describe Tricia Alexander’s music and performance – which ranges from soothing and deeply spiritual to social commentary and humor.

Singer, songwriter, performance poet, accomplished guitarist, percussionist and harmonica player, Tricia moves between jazz, blues and folk, spoken word and music, original compositions and re-interpreted cover tunes – and she does it all with seamless grace.

Tricia has been known for many years as “one of Chicago’s finest folk performers – always a little on the jazzy side” (Chicago Sun Times). Her original blues, jazz and folk music ranges from soothing and deeply spiritual to social commentary – and from lightly romantic to slightly bawdy. Humanities Iowa calls her, “A modern-day Aesop” – and the Folk Music Source Book places her “intelligent contemporary writing” in the same league as: Holly Near, Cheryl Wheeler, Anne Hills and Christine Lavin.　

Vibrant, uplifting and healing with a voice, lyrics and music that resonate the heart. Blue O’Connell, Eclectic Woman, WTJU FM VA)

PETE JONNSON is a fine guitar player and singer with an interesting repertoire of Americana tunes. He was one of the members of the trio Live Bait. He has made excellent use of his early retirement to submerge himself in his music.

DAVID HAWKINS is a songwriter, singer, and guitarist from the cities of Chicago (Rogers Park, Evanston, Lake Bluff), Tulsa, and New Orleans (Metairie).

A Few Thoughts from David:

You have no doubt noticed that thousands of websites are full of musicians looking for a style, a trend, an image, or even a true depiction of who they are–anything to be noticed as distinct identities in an ocean of identities. Often, even the really good musicians seem to be drops in the bucket, spit in the ocean. Music has to be more than an arsenal of hair, costumes, and poses. At its best, it is about how the spirit of a song calls to us. My vision is that the true voices in music will emerge from the blurred mass and be heard alongside the other true voices already among us. The way I see it, somewhere under all the layers is a true voice in everyone. Whether or not I have found my truest voice yet, I know that one of the ways that I feel closest to it is through writing or singing a song.