The Music of Tina Turner

About the artists:

Best known to millions of TV viewers as a top four finalist during the 2007 season of “American Idol,” LaKisha Jones is ready to reclaim center stage in music, theatre and television. Her last album, “So Glad I’m Me” was full of Jones’ expressive, full-bodied and arresting vocals, the same voice that electrified “American Idol” viewers with the Dreamgirls showstopper “And I Am Telling You” and later the Broadway stage in the Oprah Winfrey produced, Tony Awardwinning musical, The Color Purple. Having worked with hit-making songwriters and producers including Tony Nicholas (Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross), Ro & Sauce (Brandy, Ne-Yo) and Greg Curtis (Keyshia Cole, Yolanda Adams), Jones’ album featured a spirited mix of R&B and soul. A few noteworthy songs included the single “Same Song,” penned by award-winning songwriter Dianne Warren, Whitney Houston’s “You Give Good Love,” the gospel song “Just As I Am,” and Jones soaring ballad to her daughter, “Beautiful Girl.” Her drive and motivation dates back to her childhood in Flint, Michigan. Raised by her mother and grandmother, Jones was exposed to music by legendary singers such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle, with her grandmother urging the young girl to “let your voice shine” thereby prompting Jones to sing in church choirs and music programs. Joining various chorale groups and a cappella choruses throughout high school, Jones entered and won the top prize at Flint’s local talent contest, The Super Show in 1997. A two-year stint studying vocal performance at the University of Michigan left the high school graduate craving to sing more. She relocated to various cities (Dallas, Houston and Virginia Beach) to pursue her dream as a singer. Jones then went to New York to audition for “American Idol” and made it to the 2007 season, where she became the fourth finalist. She segued from “Idol” to the Broadway stage for The Color Purple where she played two roles: that of a “church lady” and of the pivotal character “Sophia.” The latter role she alternated with R&B icon Chaka Khan, who became her mentor. Jones participated in Khan’s 35th Anniversary Tour. Following her Broadway stint, Jones provided vocal coaching on MTV’s reality competition “Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods,” a show designed to find and hone Broadway’s next star. A frequent soloist with symphony around the world, Ms. Jones has performed as a guest soloist with the National Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Utah Symphony and Opera, Winnipeg Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, Windham Chamber Singers, Grand Rapids Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Calgary Symphony, Battle Creek Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, 

Chances are that you’ve heard the amazing soprano voice of Nova Y. Payton in internationally staged musicals, on PBS in one of the specials with The American Pops Orchestra or 3 Mo’ Divas or in countless regional theatre productions across the country. Boasting a prolific catalog of artist collaborations, the former American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) student has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Levi Kreis, Bobby McFerrin, John Michael Higgins, Yolanda Adams, Betsy Wolfe, Michael Uris, Anthony Hamilton, and Michelle Williams. She has also opened for heavyweights like Ashford and Simpson, Will Downing, Stephanie Mills, Melba Moore, The Chi-Lites and the Dramatics. Nova has performed in over 150 major cities in the US, as well as Canada, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. Nova has been recognized with nominations and awards for her talents. Nova starred in a soul-stirring rendition of Effie White in Dreamgirls, which earned her the 2006 Barrymore nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical. The DVD / CD for 3 Mo’ Divas received a 2010 NAACP nomination for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration. In 2012, Nova was honored as the Helen Hayes Award Recipient as the Best Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical for her portrayal of MotorMouth Maybelle in Hairspray. For her performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls during the 2012-2013 season at Signature Theatre, Nova was nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical. In 2015, Nova was nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Musical) for her role in Elmer Gantry. She was also nominated in 2018 for Lead Actress (Musical) in Caroline, Or Change and Supporting Actress (Musical) in Ragtime. Other honors have come in the form of singing for President Biden and Vice President Harris and performing the National Anthem at the dedication of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial live as the world watched on CSPAN. Nova has also appeared on the Jimmy Fallon late-night talk show accompanying artist Glen Hansard. Most recently in 2022 alone, Nova starred in Grace The Musical, The Color Purple, Into The Woods, and currently in Fela! Nova serves as a cantor and an amazing lead vocalist directing her own choir, Favour, at her church, St. Martin’s Catholic Church. An entrepreneur, Nova founded Yashim Studios, a musical theater troupe for youth, and has produced a number of productions with the next generation of budding stars.

A Bronx native, Armando Imagines is a dynamic force in music, television, and film, known for his versatile talents as a singer, actor, dancer, and writer. Armando has graced stages alongside music legends like Paul McCartney, Alicia Keys, Michael Bolton, Lionel Richie, Missy Elliott, Gwen Stefani, Jason Derulo, Luis Fonsi, and Prince Royce. His performances have captivated audiences in iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall and at high-profile events like the MTV Music Awards, The Brit Awards, and The Latin Grammys. He has also made a striking orchestral debut, performing with Amie Doherty and Orchestra for the premiere of the hit TV series POWER. In television, Armando has brought such characters to life as Hector in NBC’s Prodigal Son alongside Michael Sheen and Tom Payne, or as Resonance, the reggaeton sensation, in ABC's Queens. Most recently, he starred as Rufus, the health-food fanatic coach, in Disney’s The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, with appearances in hit series like NCIS: Hawaii and 911: Lonestar. Armando's passion for storytelling extends beyond acting. Between roles, he crafts his own creative projects, including Die Laughing, an original short film he wrote and will be starring in. Currently, he’s developing a TV series about a pop star finding fame at 40—a project that showcases his creative talents not just as a writer, but as an actor, singer, and musician. Armando’s work reflects his dedication to telling compelling stories through music and performance that resonate with authenticity and artistry