Peoria Times
14 FEATURES
January 13, 2022
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‘Idol’ Lakisha Jones brings tribute show to Surprise
a Vienna symphony was postponed. In February, she’s scheduled to sing with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and then heads to Fremont, California, to perform with the symphony there. She’s grateful, however, to still be working. “I’m grateful to be consistently singing and being the artist I love to be,” she said. “I enjoy touching people through songs. If I touch one person through my gift of music, then I’ve done my job.” The Houston resident is hoping to share that at The Vista Center for the Performing Arts. “I want to do these women justice and take people back in time,” she said. “I love the reaction when I sing ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ or ‘Skyfall’ or ‘I Will Always Love You’ or Donna Summer’s ‘Last Dance.’ “Those are a few of the numbers I’ll be doing in the show. I have a live band coming down from LA. It’s going to be amazing.” PT
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor
Lakisha Jones has performed with symphonies around the world. She thanks “American Idol” for those opportunities. She placed fourth on the sixth season of the TV show. “‘American Idol’ change my life and my daughter’s life,” she said. “I was a bank teller at the time. ‘American Idol’ allowed me to touch people through music. It’s a blessing that so many people got to watch that show during my season. There was a record number of people watching and voting.” Jones is set to hit the stage with her show “Queen of Rock & Soul” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at The Vista Center for the Arts in Surprise. “I give you a little bit of Diana (Ross), a sprinkle of Whitney, a little Aretha, some Tina (Turner) and a little Adele,” she said enthusiastically. “It’s a fun, up-tempo program packed with your favorites. “It’s a fun show. I get to transform myself — not physically, but vocally — into all these wonderful women who are iconic in my eyes. I grew up on Aretha, Tina and Whitney. I love, love Whitney Houston. It’s my chance to really pay homage and honor each one of those ladies and the things they contributed to music.” She’s contributing in her own right, as she performed at the behest of the
Lakisha Jones finished fourth on the sixth season of “American Idol.” (Photo courtesy of Lakisha Jones)
U.S. Embassy in Russia twice, for example. Jones called the visit a blessing and eye-opening. “You don’t see a lot of people who look like me there,” she said. “It’s cul-
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turally different. I never would have thought I’d say I went to Russia once, let alone twice. What an experience.” The COVID-19 lockdown was upsetting to Jones, whose performance with
Lakisha Jones: “Queen of Rock & Soul”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 WHERE: The Vista Center for the Arts, 15660 N. Parkview Place, Surprise COST: $25 to $35 INFO: 623-523-8888, thevistaaz.com
