Friday and All That Jazz

Today's post is about the lovely Helena Hallberg, a composer, musician, beautiful woman with an incredible set of pipes. We first met her face to face in NYC a while back, though our first "meeting" was on Facetime a couple of Christmases ago. It seems at that time she had more than caught the fancy of Son3. She was in Sweden celebrating the holiday with her family and Son3 was here for Christmas break.  Everyday they met via the computer to chat, and by the end of the holiday we pretty much knew the interest was not just a casual relationship.

Since then we have gotten to know and enjoy her wit and personality  as well as her talent. She even came and stayed with us in Alabama  (in July, no less) without complaining any more than we do about the summer heat!

I am so honored to be able to share a little about her today! Hope you enjoy it too!

Where are you originally from
I was born in Switzerland to Swedish parents but spent my childhood in the US. I consider myself to be a citizen of the world!

What inspired your love of music
My mother.

How old were you when you first began playing an instrument and what was it.
Piano, I was about 5 years old.

What is your instrument of choice and how many others can you play
Voice, first and foremost. I play the piano and guitar, my ukulele has a special place in my heart and songwriting. Also, some bass and dulcimer.

How did you know you really wanted to be a performer
When I realized I could make others feel something by singing, dancing and goofing around.

Tell me about your music education? (lessons or self taught)
I trained classically (voice) in High School, then studied Jazz at the University of the Arts in Zurich and now I’m completing my BM in Musical Theatre at Manhattan School of Music! My instrumental skills are mainly self-taught.

What inspires you when you are writing or performing a song
People’s stories, empathy, beauty, pain and of course, love!

Besides jazz what is your favorite music genre
Musical Theatre *vigorous jazz hands*

Can you give us the name of a couple or three albums/songs you would recommend
Alas I cannot Swim - Laura Marling (album)
Arrival - Abba (album)
Sim - Vanessa Da Mata (album) - specifically “Boa Sorte” (song)

What is your favorite or most unforgettable music memory
My last performance in Zurich before I moved to New York, all my friends came and I sang songs I had written about my life with them.

If you were not a musician what would you love to be doing
Teaching or working for an human rights NGO.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years
Realistically? Making a decent income off performing and teaching. Unrealistically? Touring Europe with a Musical Theatre-inspired concert series about American Musical Theatre composers.

What is your favorite food
My Mormor’s meatballs (köttbullar). Also, Swiss chocolate.

What food do you think of when you are listening to the song you sent?
(I’m thinking of “Blind”, the first track on the EP)
A deliciously creamy chocolate cake. But it has no calories, because the song is about no regrets.

How/when can people hear your music
My 2016 EP “Blind” is available here:
Spotify -> http://spoti.fi/2iAXh1P
iTunes -> http://apple.co/2ibwE0a
Apple Music -> http://apple.co/2hKYKOP
Google Play -> http://bit.ly/2ibtvO4
Amazon Music -> http://amzn.to/2i4H6J8

 This is not the video Helena wanted to share, but I am a technidiot and can't find the one she wanted. As soon as I do I will change this, but I am running out of  hours to get this up on Friday. I take full blame here.  It's still a lovely song! If you have spotify look up Helena Hallberg and you can hear "Blind' right now.

Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/helenahallberg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenahallbergmusic
Webpage: www.helenahallberg.com

You can order a copy of my EP here: https://www.helenahallberg.com/store/, also look me up on Youtube and Instagram, I often post snippets of new songs or covers!

Any cd's, music videos or ep's coming out?
I’m headed back to the studio in the beginning of August, so hopefully in the fall!

Anything else you want to add or say?
I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I get from Son3, he is my rock. I love sharing my craft with others and telling stories with music, to me that’s what it’s all about!


I do appreciate Helena sharing her time and talent with me today so I might share it with y'all. I think Son3 might have out-kicked his coverage here. What do you think?

Since she mentioned Chocolate Cake of course that is what I am going to have to make for the food section on Monday. I am not exactly sure how to make calorie-less. Maybe I will just have to settle for a slightly healthier version of chocolate cake.

Now if I will just get off my lazy cooking tail and actually make it will be another thing, especially since I have not made the promised jazz meal form last week yet. When it is this hot, the kitchen is the last place I want to be. Of course cake that is chocolate is so much easier to make than a full meal so chances ae better that this will happen before the Southern jazz meal.