Jazz in Les Fields Hall: LaSonya Natividad

LES FIELDS AND THE TURKEY RIVER ALL STARS

Les Fields & the Turkey River All-Stars

Named after the river that ran through his Cresco, Iowa hometown, Les organized the Turkey River All Stars Band in 1968. The group has had some high-profile gigs over those many years, including performing as the welcoming band for five U.S. Presidents: Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, George Bush, Sr. and George Bush, Jr., and one presidential hopeful, Ross Perot. The Rochester group was the official Minnesota band at the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. In 2005, the group was named to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

LASONYA NATIVIDAD

Lasonya Natividad

LaSonya Natividad is a Rochester Minnesota based vocal artist hailing from the great state of Louisiana. Her unique sound is a blend of southern gospel and jazz influences. She has vocal range from mezzo soprano to contralto. Some of her vocal influences include the God Mother of Jazz Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, India Arie, Jill Scott and Mahalia Jackson

She received her music beginning in the church at age six; and singing her first solo in the 3rd grade: THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER. She went on to sing in high school in the school choir and for competition in both the girl’s vocal and chorus categories on the regional and state level earning her a superior rating and scholarships to LSU in music.

Little know fact is she dabbled in playing the bass clarinet and bass drum (it’s all about that bass) in high school  for concert and marching band respectively. Senior year she was granted the mantel of drum major.

She continued singing in various community gospel choirs at the local level until college where she took a break from singing except for special occasions to focus on establishing her medical career.

Finally In 2003 she moved to Rochester Minnesota where she could get back to her first love, of singing where it all began, back in church where she became the praise and worship leader and choir director of Vision Church. Shortly thereafter, she began singing for charity events where she caught the attention of a local musician and owner of Spectrum Audio, Daniel Van Hook who encouraged her year after year to get involved in the local music scene while providing sound guidance at many of the charity events she sang.

Perhaps  her fastest move wasn’t soon enough because he took it upon himself to introduce her to Mike King a local guitarist by bringing him to one of her performances.  And the rest is history…She went on to sing for competition in Rochester’s Got Talent competition in 2009 earning her 1st runner up and becoming the leading lady with the Jazz Ensemble of 2 O’clock jump whose members include Mike Sloane, Mike King, Dave Townsend and Miles Johnston.

She made her solo debut with a trio from 2 o’clock jump at Canadian Honker Restaurant. The following year she partnered with the talented Maurice Toussaint for the annual Juneteenth Festival where they both caught the eye of the band leader of KnuFunk Doug Porter.  Later that same year, she collaborated with Doug and Maurice for a stellar performance at the NAACP annual fundraiser banquet. Their love of music kept them together reigniting the band KnuFunk where she has gone on to perform at countless venues in Rochester and surrounding areas.

She has collaborated with many of the amazingly talented artist in SE Minnesota area including Annie Mack, Alex Rossi, John Sievers of the D’Sievers, Suite, Dianna Parks, After School Special and many others. Most recently, she collaborated with timeless band Incognito to honor the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and Tony Fuel recording her first musical solo project with his deep Soul house music sounds.