Ora Reed
ORA REED
Café Set’s Musical Chou
Like a gossamer butterfly drifting on the breeze across oceans and continents, Ora Catherine Reed has emerged from her golden chrysalis with a debut album of jazz standards on an independent Japanese label. The release is entitled, This One’s For You.
“This is a work of love. It would not have happened if friends hadn’t encouraged me. They took me to the well-known Kampo Studios and that’s why the CD is called “This One’s For You,” Reed stated.
The compact disc is chockfull of something for everyone—16 tracks in all and each one conjures up memories of tinkling glasses, smoke-filled clubs and cozy thoughts.
• “On a Clear Day” is a track that is upbeat and nightclub sexy. With a husky voice that is filled with feeling.
• “It Had to be You” harkens back to a time when love was uncomplicated.
• “Poor Butterfly”
• “I Wish You Love”
• “Mississippi Song” was written by Jim Weatherly, an Ole Miss alum
• “Your Majesty”
• “Kawa No Nagare No Yoni” is a very popular Japanese tune
• “Fly Me to the Moon”
• “My Funny Valentine”
• “Wave”
• “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”
• “Love Letters”
• “Bye Bye Blackbird”
• “Autumn Leaves”
• “We Are Survivors” was penned by Ms. Reed as a paean to those who have survived cancer, which she, herself, has endured.
• “Here’s to Life”
Ora Reed is a “person of interest and an interesting person.” She is well- traveled and much beloved by her family, friends and associates. Currently, living and performing in Kyoto, Japan Ora is just as likely to pop up in Rio de Janeiro and do a few tunes in Portuguese on one of those warm Brazilian purple nights as she is to turn up in Paris.
Ora Reed was born in Greenville, Mississippi, but grew up in Lexington, Mississippi, reared by a mother who recognized Ora’s potential very early. Piano lessons began at the age of three just about the time Reed conquered her “ABC’s.” Every summer from the age of five—it was piano, clarinet and violin lessons at Jackson State University, which not surprisingly, is her alma mater. According to Reed, “I always knew deep down inside that I could sing like some of the people I would often accompany…a little voice was screaming to get out.” Nothing like starting at the top, her first professional gig was a Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada with the Bruce Westcott Band.
Reed moved to Baltimore and began singing in very chic supper clubs in Maryland. Ora was aptly dubbed a “café society singer” by then-columnist, Jimmy Colimore of the Baltimore Sun. A singer by night and an Entertainment Critic by day for an ABC-TV affiliate—her plate stayed full. And when she wasn’t singing or critiquing—Ora was throwing fabulous, catered soirees for the crème de la crème of Baltimore’s elite—power brokers, restaurateurs, sports figures, and members of the “horsy set.”
When Reed left Baltimore to return to Mississippi to nurse her ailing mother—it created a social vacuum. When her beloved mother, Annie passed away—Ora needed some time to take stock of her life. She tried several jobs—a junior high school music teacher, an administrative assistant to a State Senator, a Presidential campaign co-coordinator, a concert promotions manager, administrative assistant to the President of the National Baptist Convention and PR Consultant to Mission Mississippi. Mission Mississippi is a Christian organization that works for racial and denominational reconciliation.
The fates stepped in and a holiday in Brazil resulted in a full time singing job. “No matter what continent you are on or country you are in—music is truly a universal language. I am so aware of this when I share in a church service here in Kyoto—no English is spoken. Tears stream down the faces of the people in the sanctuary. You realize your musical message is felt, you’ve touched someone’s heart,” Ora says.
Reed was once told by her uncle, Reverend (name) Clark that music was her God-given talent. It appears that God has been in her corner. Ora has survived three bouts of cancer and the removal of a vocal chord cyst. Despite all of this, Reed is upbeat and this debut CD is the culmination of her love of musical harmony and spirit.
Additional Information:
Café Circuit History
Awaji Island: Westin Hotel
Baltimore: Eager House, Chiaparelli’s, Café Des Artistes
Dubai, UAE: Ritz-Carlton
Kuala Lumpur: Prince Hotel
Las Vegas: Caesar’s Palace
Los Angeles: Attaman’s
New Orleans: Menafees, Feelings Café, Ritz Carlton
Rio de Janeiro: People Bar, Club 1, Alo Alo
Tokyo: LePapillon de Paris, Westin Hotel, Prince Hotel
Past Tours & Concerts
Accompanist for 10-city German tour with Grace Bumbry
Carnegie Hall with Grace Bumbry Vocal Ensemble
Mississippi Pops Symphony
Niagara Symphony Orchestra
For interviews: mariposa@newyork.com