REED R. RADCLIFFE
Reed R. Radcliffe is a freelance street and documentary photographer and videographer with a deep love for music. He spends most of his life with a camera attached to his face, in fact, most people don’t recognize him unless there are a couple cameras around his neck. His passion is photographing the blues musicians in St. Louis, Missouri where Reed can be found at the foot of stages in all the local festivals and bars. He has also been seen down in Mississippi exploring the Blues Trail in search of photographic and musical nirvana. Currently the photographer for the St. Louis Blues Society and frequent contributor to the National Blues Museum.
PHOTOS
Kim Massie
“Diva” is a title that Kim Massie proudly embraces, and this award-winning vocalist has earned it. A boomerang child who moved to Ohio and later returned to the Gateway City, the “Siren of Song” has claimed Beale on Broadway as her home, performing celebrated, groove-inducing tunes several times a week. Often classified as a blues songstress, Massie isn’t content to limit herself to one genre; her legendary voice also packs punch on rock, gospel, funk, jazz and more. Slip her $20, and prepare to be blown away by her rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” or Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” Two snaps up for this diva!” – River Front Times, Special Edition 2014
Kim Massie’s reign in the St. Louis entertainment scene pushes beyond the gates of the stage: her personality is a drawbridge to the audience. Her audiences span the gamut of taste, everything from blues, soul, rock n’ roll, children’s tunes, and she can make every note of it, upon request. “Don’t worry, I got my i-pad!” she assures fans as she settles in on stage. Though, if you’re requesting a song, a dollar won’t cut it: she’ll assure you of that too though if you forget.
Massie has shared the stage with artists such as Cyndi Lauper, India Arie, Nelly and Chuck Berry and been awarded Best Vocalist of the Year by RiverFront Times (twice) and a Grand Center Visionary Award. She has performed for organizations such as Major League Baseball, Purina, Boeing, and at esteemed venues and events such as the Missouri History Museum, Big Muddy Blues Festival, Davenport Blues Festival, Emerald City Blues Festival, and the Blues Rising Festival.
“I listen to everything, everything!” Massie exclaims, “I’m a songstress, an entertainer.”
Renee Smith
With her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, Renee Smith has earned the nickname “Queen of St. Louis Soul” on both sides of the Mississippi. Born in St. Louis and raised in East St. Louis, Renee began singing at age 12 in the Mount Zion Baptist Church. Drawing on her background in gospel music and her years of experience performing blues, soul and jazz in concerts, clubs and festivals, Renee makes every performance an exciting event where she and her audience forge a heartfelt connection.Renee has opened shows for national recording artists including Jerry Butler, Little Milton, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Shirley Brown. She has performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City, and on ABC-TV’s Good Morning America. In 1999, Renee also took American-style blues and soul to the Far East for a six-month residency in Singapore.In St. Louis, Renee has performed at the St. Louis Blues Heritage Festival, the Big Muddy Blues & Roots Festival, Oliver Sain’s popular Soul Reunion concerts, and at other venues including the Casino Queen, BB’s Jazz Blues and Soups, Fast Eddie’s Bon-Air and Jackie Smith’s Louisiana Cafe. Football fans also may recognize her for singing the national anthem for the St. Louis Rams professional football team on two occasions.
Sharon ‘Bear’ Foehner
Sharon started her career in 1969, back when she was still Sharon Dorn. She studied classical bass violin from nine until she was seventeen.In 1977 she started playing the acoustic guitar.After moving to St.Louis, M.O. in 1987 Sharon got herself into the local music scene.
In November of 1989 Sharon began performing with James Crutchfield. Since then Sharon has performed with note worthy artists such as Johnnie Johnson, Oliver Sain, Renee Smith, Jimmy Rodgers, Henry Townsend, and many others. In 1995 Sharon opened up the Women
in Blues Festival at the Sheldon performing an acoustic duet with the legendary Etta Baker.
Marsha Evans
Photographs from the Memorial Day festival in St. Louis, Missouri called “Bluesweek”, a benefit for the National Blues Museum to be located in the same city. This photograph is from the second day of that festival in 2014 – shot at the new Chesterfield Amphitheater location by Reed R. Radcliffe / TripleRPhotography LLC
With a repertoire that encompasses blues, R&B, jazz, pop classics and the great American songbook, vocalist Marsha Evans has earned her place among the most in-demand entertainers in the Midwest as well as her title, the River City Show Stopper.
Marsha has headlined major events such as the Big Muddy Blues & Heritage Festival and BluesWeek, and shared the stage with nationally known artists such as Michael McDonald, Fontella Bass, the Temptations, Clark Terry and many others.
Marsha’s musical career began at an early age, inspired by her mother, one of the first black females to perform on the stage of the Muny Opera, and her father, lead trumpet player for the famed George Hudson orchestra for many years. After working as the featured vocalist with Hudson’s orchestra, Marsha went on to become the featured vocalist with legendary pianist and member of the Rock and Roll hall of fame, Johnnie Johnson.
Backed by the talented musicians in her band, The Coalition, has established herself as one of the most in-demand entertainers in the region. With her incredible combination of vocal talent and the rare ability to immediately connect with an audience, Marsha Evans creates the perfect musical accompaniment for any occasion.
