Billie Holiday: An Evening With Mahalia Barr-Mashei

Answered by: Mahalia Barr-Mashei

Briefly describe your show. The smooth and sultry vocals of newcomer Mahalia Barr-Mashei will leave you spellbound this Fringe season. Experience the beauty behind the sadness; hear the untold stories from the extraordinary life of Billie Holiday. A captivating show for listeners who have loved the music of Lady Day and for those who are yet to discover the magic of the great iconic jazz vocalist.

What was the inspiration behind your show? I have always felt connected to this era of music, as well as the stories of how musicians in the early ‘30s and ‘40s were first discovered and how they gained such a name for themselves. Billie Holiday is a standout for me though! Her story was remarkable, but the voice that came with that story still to this day influences me. I felt a strong connection to Billie Holiday’s story, especially because there are certain things about Billie and her life that I can relate to. I also am a singing teacher, and so many times I have asked my younger students who Billie Holiday is – and they don’t know! I think everyone should know who she is, and I am just excited to tell her story the way I believe it should be told.

Briefly describe the development process of your show? Tell us a bit about your creative team, too. The show has been something myself and my creative director Charmaine Jones from Gospo Enterprises have been putting together. Ideas here and there, and talk in passing. I think when Charmaine heard me sing Don’t Explain by Billie Holiday in 2012, it was something that sparked an idea! There has been many amazing musical arrangements and influences of all genres and musicians put into this show. I’m just very excited for people to be able to share in the experience of Lady Day. I have Mark Ferguson on piano and Chris Soole on saxophone, the musical magic that they create on stage makes me emotional, it’s beautiful!

What do you love about Fringe Festival besides all the shows? Fringe Club is my favorite! And getting a piece of corn on a stick in the Garden Of Unearthly Delights, yum!

What are you excited to see at this year’s Fringe? I’m most looking forward to seeing SOAP. I didn’t get a chance to see that last year and heard great things!

And for a fun random one, in a fantasy world who would you be the love child of? Honestly, in my fantasy world my mum is still my mum. She’s my hero!