An Interview with Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack is a classically trained pianist, an evocative vocalist, a gifted song stylist, and, at 75, still a wonderful performer. She’s won Four Grammys, and been nominated for nine more. And it turns out, just like the rest of us she’s a big fan of the ‘Burg! She’s performing the Mahaffey Theater, this Sunday January 29th, at 7pm. 

We had a chance to ask Ms. Flack a few questions about her life, her music and the music she loves to listen to. 

You have such a wide repertoire. Does your classical training influence your approach to, for example, the blues? How? 
My classical background influences how I hear music.  How I write, how I interpret, arrange, play and sing.  It’s like how having a strong background studying science in grade school will forever color how you see the world, right?  It is the base on which i have built myself as a musician.

 

At the Mahaffey, will you be singing any new songs? Will you be doing any classical pieces?
I am excited to say that I will be performing one or two new songs from my new album (my first in 8 years) of Beatles songs titled Let It Be Roberta,  due out on February 7th on Sony ATV. This is such a personal and passionate album for me on so many levels. I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you which songs, but you’ll know them when you hear them.  And I will not be performing any classical pieces but if you listen carefully, you will be able to hear the classical influences throughout my entire repertoire!

 

I have to say that I still love Killing me Softly and First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. They are both songs that touch me deeply and have meant different things to me at different times of my life, which has changed how i perform them. Musically they are such beautiful works and I am so blessed to have had hits with songs like these. Singing them over and over is a pleasure as a result.

I do love some songs that are not as well known. The Soft and Gentle Rain is one you might hear in my set as a prelude to First Time. It is a song that is so delicate and beautiful. It touches my heart. Disguises, written by my friend Stuart Scharff is also a favorite. Leonard Cohen’s Suzanne that was on my Killing Me Softly album is up there too. And I have to say that Here Comes The Sun which is on my new album is one that I love to perform because of how people react to it when I sing it.

 

Everyone. Music is good if it comes from your heart. I always say that love is a song.  It is the universal language that conveys emotions and life’s experiences regardless of where in the world you live and what language you speak.  As a result, I love Lady Gaga, Eric Clapton, Little Richard, Gladys, Aretha, India Arie, Tony Bennett, Joni Mitchell, the Rolling Stones- the list is endless.

 

I have been to St. Pete many many times. I love Florida.  I used to live in Miami- did you know that? I have a lot of friends and fans in St. Pete and am very much looking forward to coming back.