Music and artistic influences have been a part of Linda's life from the start...

Her father is a jazz trumpet player, and her mother, a painter and visual artist. And it's no surprise that Linda's musical tastes are so diverse: growing up in New York , while listening to the contemporary Rock and R&B artists of her time, she was simultaneously steeped in the music of the great jazz artists from her father's era. "My Dad and his musician buddies would sit me down at the piano and teach me these wonderful old torch songs and jazz standards. These are still some of my favorite songs to perform."   These varied influences have had a hand in creating Linda's eclectic musical taste and very versatile vocal style. That's why you might hear some Etta James in her voice when she sings a Billie Holiday standard, or notice some Aretha in the way she delivers a Bonnie Raitt hit. Or perhaps some Nancy Wilson infused in her approach to a Diana Krall tune.

"I've always been drawn to singers with strong, rich voices," says Linda, who cites artists as diverse as Gladys Knight, Patti Austin, Michael McDonald, Ann Wilson (Heart), Celine Dion, Pat Benatar, Kenny Loggins, Annie Lennox, David Pack, and Eva Cassidy as some of her strongest influences.

Linda has been an avid student of vocal technique from a young age - years of classical training, starting at the age of 11, gave her a solid basis in the technical aspect of singing. However, Linda feels the best vocal education comes from listening to and learning from the vocalists that move you. "I've spent a lot of time intently studying singers who intrigue me - their tone, their phrasing; the way they make each song their own."

But, singing is not just about technique. The ability to convey the raw emotion of the music is what transforms a vocalist into an artist. This is one of Linda's strongest gifts as a performer. "Music is about 20% in the head, and 80% in the heart. Once you feel comfortable in your own skin [as a vocalist], let your head bow out, and let your heart take over."

This approach has paid off : Linda's blend of chops and artistry have developed into a level of versatility and performance that has kept her booked steadily in some of the top-flight musical organizations in both New York and South Florida.

Eclectic Diva...

Although currently based in South Florida, Linda spent the early part of her career in New York,  where she performed at venues ranging from C.B.G.B.’s and The Bitter End to The Rainbow Room. For six years prior to relocating to Florida, Linda was lead vocalist with the Stuart White Orchestra (a Steven Scott Music and Entertainment group), with whom she performed at such high profile special events as President Clinton's Inauguration and the Super Bowl NFL Commissioner's Party - an annual press event.

In recent years, Linda has joined the South Florida music scene. Since relocating here a few years ago, she has performed at local Jazz/Blues venues such as O'Hara's, One Night Stan's, Ray's Downtown Blues and the Jazz Concert series at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. For her first six years in Florida she was Lead Vocalist with The Manhattan Music Band, of Manhattan Music & Entertainment, performing at high-end special events from The Breakers in Palm Beach to The Fontainbleu in Miami. Linda has since moved on from Manhattan Music to pursue other performance opportunities and to concentrate on her writing and recording projects.

Current Projects...

In addition to her live performance work, Linda is currently involved with various local and long-distance recording projects as songwriter, vocalist and vocal arranger. The remote recording projects are a perfect convergence of Linda's recording and technology skills with her musical artistry. Linda's writing style is as eclectic and powerful as her vocal style. Her current projects include an Industrial Metal/Gothic Metal band (in the vein of NIN/ Evanescence .... to hear a recent studio clip, click here), a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band (in the vein of Sevendust), and a movie soundtrack project. Visit Linda's Original Music page for a sampling of songs from some of her current projects.

Stay tuned for more info!

During the course of her career, Linda has had the pleasure of performing for many celebrities and notable people, affording her some wonderful experiences. To mention a few:

• At a party thrown by Ron Delsner, being joined on stage by Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffet, and Foreigner's Mick Jones for a spirited version of Paul Simon's 'Late in the Evening', while Paul Simon looked on. "It was exhilarating to share the stage with these talented musicians - I think it was the best we ever played that song. Mick Jones even stayed and played a few more songs with us. I guess he enjoyed it, too!"
• Opening for Tony Bennett at a charity benefit in New York's Waldorf Astoria ballroom and watching in awe as Tony placed his microphone on the stage floor and proceeded to fill the ballroom with his powerful voice, unamplified. "The Astoria is one of New York's largest ballrooms. To hear Mr. Bennett's voice fill the room without help from the sound system was truly an amazing experience. As a vocalist, I was profoundly impressed."
• Singing for Billy Crystal and his family at an intimate family event. "We were all treated to an impromptu stand-up performance by Mr. Crystal. I have never laughed so hard in my life! For a change, the entertainers were being entertained that evening!"
• Performing at charity benefits and gala events hosted by Charles Koppelman of EMI records. "As you can guess, these events were well-attended by the luminaries of the music business. It was incredibly inspiring to have the opportunity to perform for so many respected musicians under the same roof."

Some of the Bands/Orchestras Linda has performed with include:

The Honeymooners Band, Palm Beach, FL
Will Bridges Music, Coral Springs, FL
Manhattan Music and Entertainment, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
The Jeff Prine Group
Motel Mel and the Innkeepers