“Linda Dorsey”
Linda Dorsey’s Debut Album
Saturday, June 7, 2025
8 pm @ WePerform
San Pablo Blvd, El Cerrito, CA
American jazz recording artist Linda Dorsey has given the world a rare and exquisite gift: her voice. Her producer, the renowned Willie Jones III, describes it as “a voice from Heaven,” With a tone that is both rich and ethereal, Dorsey brings a timeless elegance to every note, blending the depth of tradition with the intimacy of storytelling.
Rooted in the soulful legacy of jazz yet unmistakably her own, Dorsey’s artistry transports listeners to a world where melody, emotion, and swing intertwine effortlessly. Whether interpreting a classic standard or delivering an original composition, her voice shimmers with a warmth that lingers long after the final note fades.
Her performances are more than just music—they are experiences, drawing from the deep well of jazz history while forging a sound that is contemporary, fresh, and deeply personal. In an era where authenticity reigns supreme, Linda Dorsey stands as a beacon of true musical expression, reminding us all why jazz remains one of the most enduring and powerful forms of art.
Linda is the granddaughter of Joseph Louis "Red" Cayou who was an influential New Orleans jazz pianist active in the early 1920s. His impact on the New Orleans music scene is evident through his mentorship of notable musicians. Pianist Tuts Washington, for instance, taught himself to play at age 10 and studied with Cayou, blending elements of ragtime, jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie in his style. Cayou's contributions to the development of early jazz piano styles in New Orleans, though not extensively documented, have left a lasting imprint on the city's rich musical heritage and on his granddaughter. This heritage left a musical mark on her. It was just a matter of time before Dorsey would step into and fully claim her musical inheritance.
Building on her rich career in musical theatre and dance, Linda Dorsey has now embarked on a new journey as a jazz vocalist, paying tribute to her grandfather, the influential New Orleans jazz pianist Louis "Red" Cayou. Infusing her deep theatrical experience with the timeless elegance of jazz, she brings storytelling to the forefront of her music, delivering emotionally rich performances that blend drama, swing, and soulful expression. Her voice, shaped by years on stage, carries the same depth and nuance that made her a captivating presence in musical theatre, now channeling that artistry into jazz interpretations that honor her family's legacy while forging a sound uniquely her own.
Linda Dorsey is an accomplished performing artist and educator hailing from Oakland, California. Over the past two decades, she has built a diverse career as a dancer, singer, actor, teacher, and choreographer. Her early career saw her as a principal dancer with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, touring extensively across the United States in venues such as Lincoln Center and Playwrights Horizons in New York, as well as internationally in countries including Italy, Germany, France, and Japan.
In musical theatre, Dorsey has portrayed notable roles such as the Acid Queen in "The Who's Tommy," Paulette in "Legally Blonde," Asaka in "Once On This Island," and Ellen Craft in "Ellen Craft: A New Opera," Abuela Claudia in “In The Heights” and Mama Rose in “Gyspy”.
Dorsey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of California, Irvine, and has pursued a Master of Arts in Music at New York University. She also studied opera at Teatro di Pisa in Italy and holds a teaching certification. Currently, Dorsey is the founder and director of the Linda Dorsey School of the Arts in Oakland, and is a theatre arts teacher in Oakland Unified School District where she continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of performing artists.
Inspired by her Oakland upbringing and deep-rooted connection to New Orleans jazz, Linda Dorsey’s debut album delivers seven soulful tracks that honor the rich tradition of vocal jazz. Brimming with romance and a touch of magic, the album weaves captivating tales through a dynamic range of moods and styles. From the bold, orchestrated swing of a big band to the intimate beauty of a tender ballad, each song showcases Linda’s effortless artistry and emotional depth. It all comes together in a collection that is both timeless and uniquely her own.
Release Date: June 6, 2024 | Tracks: 7 | Label: WJ3 Records
Release Date: June 6, 2024 | Tracks: 7 | Label: WJ3 Records
1 Don't Explain 0:55
2 Embraceable You 1:17
3 Lament (I Found You Gone) 0:56
4 Déjà vu 0:50
5 Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans 0:50
6 With Every Breath I Take 1:08
7 Nature Boy 1:01