Women's Voices: Sing Sista Sing, Toni Morgan, Curator

35th Annual Music Under the Stars | Saturdays: Jazz & Blues
For the second year, vocalist Toni Morgan curates Women’s Voices, and tonight’s performance, entitled “Sing Sista Sing,” pays tribute to African American female artists. Joining Morgan will be fellow vocalists, Patricia (Pat) Brown, Casey Lafferty, and Abby Maxwell with Musical Director, Steve Figueroa, on keyboards; Artha Meadors, bass; Dimi DeSantos; guitar; Alex Murzyn, saxophone; and Toni’s talented son, Lem Williams, of Denver, Colorado, on drums. Toni Morgan began her singing journey in church alongside her family, and in 2013, upon relocating to New Mexico, she built a strong network of musical collaborators, earning the title, “New Mexico’s Gospel Best.” Prior to that, from 2006 to 2012, she toured the world as a background singer with the legendary Gladys Knight. Over the years, she has collaborated with notable artists including Clifford Yost, Brian Hardgroove (former bass player for Public Enemy), Steve O’Neill, and more. She recently wrote and released her first Gospel single, “Jesus Help Me.” Pat Brown has performed with Gospel Stellar Award-winning musical artists Vickie Winans and Tasha Paige-Lockhar, and locally, she has performed for the New Mexico State Fair, New Mexico Bowl & the Albuquerque Isotopes as well as playing the lead role of Effie White in the local production of the hit musical “Dreamgirls.” Abby Maxwell studied Musical Theater at Boston University and San Diego State and toured the U.S., Canada and Jamaica with the vocal group Sisters of Soul. The co-founder of the local band, SWAG, she is also the featured vocalist for Los Radiators. Casey Lafferty is a blues and soul vocalist who performs with ABQ-based bands JR and the BluesMakers and the BlackSmoke Blues Band.