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Toni Gates

"If it's good it doesn't need a label.” - Toni Gates

This sums up the attitude and music of Kansas City native, Toni Gates. Toni began her singing career in the comforts of her own home. Her mom says she started singing along with popular TV jingles as a toddler. The neighbors might remember what would have been otherwise quiet summer evenings if it weren’t for Toni swinging in the backyard unabashedly wailing “Like a Rhinestone Cowboy.”

No one expected that small voice to become what it is today. Toni recalls being fortunate to have a lot of different styles of music to listen to when she was little, “What my folks didn’t have in their classic Jazz, Country, Soul & Blues collection, my teenage sister made up for in her armory of Pop.”

The list of influential artists includes Nancy Wilson, Gladys Knight, Kenny Rogers, Billy Joel, Elton John, Ricki Lee Jones and Stevie Wonder. “I was a sponge. I listened constantly and it wasn’t uncommon for me to rehearse three or four hours a day.” Early on her goal was to be a versatile singer.

Having far surpassed that initial goal, Toni has developed an all-encompassing voice that contains great power, range, agility and gracefulness. Toni's professional experiences include being a church soloist, recording radio commercials, touring as lead vocalist with a big band, singing in cabaret shows, fronting jazz combos and directing and uniting with others in traditional choral and vocal jazz ensembles. Ms. Gates added songwriting to her repertoire and produced her first CD of nine originals, Outside the Lines, in 2003. “Each song reminds me of some place I’ve been or of someone I’ve known.” The listener will find nice surprises in “Over and Over,” which focuses on the battles a loved one with drug addiction tackles; “Look,” written for her husband, light-heartedly covers new love and how it keeps us slightly off kilter and “Good Things,” speaks to everyone who struggles with depression and reminds us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

From there Toni started producing and showcasing herself and area talent in her annual “One by One” concert series in 2004. Previously featured artists include Teri Wilder, Monique Danielle and Fredrickson Hill. In February 2008 Toni co-produced and released her second CD, I’m Old Fashioned. The project features fresh takes on classic jazz standards like: Billy Strayhorn’s classic, “Lush Life”; "The Boy from Ipanema" ("Garota de Ipanema") with music by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes with English lyrics written later by Norman Gimbel; and the title track.

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Recording

The Trio featuring Toni Gates on Christmas album "Comfort & Joy"

The Trio featuring Toni Gates on Christmas album "Comfort & Joy"

Source: Artists Recording Collective, LLC

Kansas City Musicians release Contemporary Jazz Christmas CD Comfort & Joy by The Trio: Toni Gates (vocals), Tom Ransom (guitar) and Clarence Smith (percussion) Comfort & Joy offers fresh new versions of your favorite Christmas songs! Arranged and produced by Thomas Ransom (guitarist), sung by noted vocalist, Toni Gates and rounded out with the skillful playing of percussionist, Clarence Smith, these delightful contemporary jazz versions will become your favorites of the holiday season! Preview “Mary Did You Know," “Drummer," “Faithful" ...

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Performance / Tour

Toni Gates in Christmas Show

Toni Gates in Christmas Show

Source: All About Jazz


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Performance / Tour

Toni Gates appears in Quality Hill Playhouse Christmas production

Toni Gates appears in Quality Hill Playhouse Christmas production

Source: All About Jazz

KANSAS CITY USA -- 'ASR Records recording artist, Toni Gates will be appearing in the Quality Hill Playhouse Christmas in Song show from November 19-December 24. Showtimes and ticket information can be found at www.qualityhillplayhouse.com or by calling 816.421.1700. Her highly successful concert, “The One by One", which she produced in Kansas City during this past October has promted a re-visiting of sorts. Toni will be performing a similarly produced show again (under a different them and name) as a ...

Kansas City original Toni Gates brings a fresh, un-jaded creativity to her music which contrasts markedly with much of today’s mass-produced sound. - Kellie Bledsoe, Austin Citysearch.com

"Toni Gates is a singer whose voice is cultured, and yet has the ability to swing with the best. These attributes are the essentials of any artist in this genre and Gates is blessed with them all. 5 Stars" - John Gilbert, ejazznews (Aug 07, 2008)

"Toni has a strong voice...it is apparent it would work in a wide variety of settings..." - Roger Atkinson, JAM Magazine (Jun 01, 2008)

"This is one sweet CD (Outside the Lines). Well-written songs, tight performances and a great vocalist. Toni has a great command of her voice. - Chris Waage, The X (Feb 14, 2004)

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

I'm Old Fashioned

ARC - Artists Recording Collective
2008

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