![\"17PerformA\"](\"http:\/\/www.clarissarizal.com\/blogblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/17PerformA.jpg\")
<\/a>Of all the things I have ever aspired to be and do, it’s never been to be a lead singer, or one of the singers in a band!\u00a0 Though at the request of my friend the glassblower, Preston Singletary, I thought I’d give it a go.\u00a0 We sing traditional Tlingit songs with the back up of a fantastic sound called funk jazz fusion played by outstanding musicians that practically blew flutist Gene Tagaban and I right off the stage with the very first drumbeats at our very first performance in Seattle the night of June 20th.\u00a0 We are called “Khu.eex”\u00a0 (pronounced “koo eeeexch” which in the Tlingit language means “potlatch.”<\/p>\nPreston’s other band is called “Little Big Band” – this band is a totally separate band with a totally different sound from Khu.eex,\u00a0 You may visit Little Big Band’s website by clicking here at “A Little Big Band.com”<\/a><\/p>\n The following are a few photos of “Khu.eex”\u00a0 taken by Dan Shanks and I:<\/p>\n Let’s introduce you to “Khu.eex” – L to R: drummer from New Orleans Stanton Moore, Clarissa Rizal, keyboard player from New Jersey Bernie Worrell, Seattle musicians: bass player Preston Singletary, flutist\/spoken word Gene Tagaban, saxaphonist Skerik, lead guitar Captain Raab, and sound engineer Randall Dunn at Avast! Studios, Seattle.<\/p><\/div>\n Read more about the various band members & the recording studio on their websites:<\/p>\n Bernie Worrell<\/strong>, keyboard artist:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.bernieworrell.com<\/a><\/p>\n Stanton Moore<\/strong>, drummer:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.stantonmoore.com<\/a><\/p>\n Preston Singletary<\/strong>, bass:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.prestonsingletary.com<\/a><\/p>\n Gene Tagaban<\/strong>, flutist\/spoken word\/singer:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.storytellingraven.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Clarissa Rizal<\/strong>, singer\/spoken word:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.clarissarizal.com<\/a><\/p>\n Avast! Recording Studios<\/strong>:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.avastrecording.com\/ <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Preston rounded up Gene, Captain Raab and Clarissa to create the set list.<\/p><\/div>\n I thought to myself “man, this is serious, we are really performing for an audience and are no longer in the recording studio…”\u00a0 like “hello, wake up dearie, we are not in Kansas anymore…!”\u00a0 The following photos are rehearsal shots:<\/p>\n Preston, Stanton Skerik and Bernie during our one rehearsal directly before the first of two shows on the evening of Thursday, June 19th, Seattle,Washington.<\/p><\/div>\n And fourthly, for me, now that my throat is pretty much healed from last Winter’s spell of pneumonia, I can continue to take my voice lessons from Brett Manning’s Singing Success.com – click here<\/a> to find out more about how you can take these fun voice lessons — if I can take voice lessons, you can take voice lessons!\u00a0 Being a part of Preston’s band, I feel like I have to contribute more than just being able to sing the native tunes; I have to really learn how to sing so my voice is an actual instrument allowing me to be more CREATIVE!!!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Here are a few more shots of our performances:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>When are we going to take this troupe on tour?\u00a0 Well, a few things have to line up:\u00a0 First, Preston is working on finalizing the recording sessions and it looks as though there is enough material for two CD’s.\u00a0 Secondly, Preston’s two kids have to get a little older by about two years so that they can come on tour with us.\u00a0 Thirdly, we have to do some fundraising (maybe via Kickstarter) to pay for the tour.<\/p>\n