Caribbean Fever meets the Jazz Muffin Friday, April 17th at 9 p.m.

Hosted by Sheila St. James, with music by the Jazz Muffin and Les Exodus

On Friday, April 17, 2009 50 States Entertainment will present a concert of International style and sounds. This is event is open to the public.

Join us as 5SE presents Caribbean Fever this Friday, at the Rosewood Room located at 404 3rd Avenue North in downtown Minneapolis’ historic warehouse district featuring Minneapolis #1 Reggae band Les Exodus and the “Jazz Muffin” Mikhala for a very special performance.

Les Exodus formed in 1987 in the TC area, and quickly gained popularity and began touring internationally. Throughout the 90’s, the band went through several roster changes, as far as band members. Some former members included Innocent, Lance Polania, Victor Voroli, and Paul McGee, just to name a few.

Les Exodus with impress you and don’t be surprised to hear the latest R&B single or perhaps a salsa or a hip hop groove snuck into the reggae context. One of the standout features of an Exodus show is how big and full they sound with only drums, bass, and keyboards underneath the vocals.

Jazz Muffin is Mikhala’s interpretation of bringing the good songs back with zest, dancing and a bit of sexiness for the mature and the young to enjoy. She gives the songs a “reggae- muffin treatment”, which some call disrespectful, others rejuvenating and fresh. It’s a rare mix of the Jazz repertoire from 1935 to 1948 with input from Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Jordan and others, tipping the hat to the great originals.

This event will be hosted by Health and Fitness go-to-girl, Sheila St. James. Sheila says, “It’s okay to call her a fitness guru, but ultimately she wants to be known as a life-saver.”  Armed with a dual Masters Degree in Human Performance and Health Promotions, she is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist; and, America’s newest fitness inspiration.  Producer and host of the award-winning wellness television program, “Shape Up With Sheila.” Her cable television show has won nods for Best Educational TV program, and it also won an award for Best Public Service Announcement.

For more information, please call 612-616-4560 or make reservations by calling the Rosewood Room at (612) 455-2525.

International Danish Jazz Recording Artist Mikhala W. Iversen to perform at The Favor Cafe on Saturday, March 21, 2009

Mikhalized – Jazz Muffin

Mikhala W. Iversen, the Danish American performer went around to musicals, opera, gospel and rock concerts before she settled for what was bred in her bones, Jazz!

On Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Minneapolis’ Favor Café, located at 913 West Lake Street (Bryant Avenue South and Lake Street in Minneapolis) – join International Danish Jazz recording artist Mikhala W. Iversen for her United States debut. You can listen to her music by clicking here. Tickets are available at the door for $6. You can make reservations by calling the Favor Café at (612) 821-0553. Reservations are recommended for this event.

Who is “Mikhala W. Iversen – Jazz Muffin?”

Jazz Muffin is Mikhala’s interpretation of bringing the good songs back with zest, dancing and a bit of sexiness for the mature and the young to enjoy. She gives the songs a “reggae- muffin treatment”, which some call disrespectful, others rejuvenating and fresh. It’s a rare mix of the Jazz repertoire from 1935 to 1948 with input from Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Jordan and others, tipping the hat to the great originals.

Mikhala grew up in a multi ethnic home – her mother, Rosita Thomas, an African American Jazz singer from Minneapolis, Minnesota and her father is Henrik W. Iversen, former CEO of the Danish Public Television (DPT) and station director, jazz reviewer and journalist. Currently Mr. Iversen is the head of the Ben Webster Foundation.

Their homes were extensively visited by the American jazz musicians on the road and all the musicians who lived in Denmark like Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Drew, Ernie Wilkins where all friends of the family.

Mikhala began her career as a dancer and singer in various Broadway musicals in Copenhagen, Guys n Dolls, Sweet Charity at the age 18. She decided to focus on music and to concentrate on song writing; then she formed a rock band called, “Venus Vendetta.” Venus Vendetta won a national music contest and started touring – she also started a little trio “Jump n Suit“, this turned out to be the start of her Jazz reputation. She met and married famous Rock Star Jesper Binzer D.A.D. with whom she had a daughter with.

Between motherhood, a very successful (read touring all over the world) husband and her mother taking terminally ill, Mikhala stepped out of the limelight and started studying music, Opera and Gospel (gospel trained by Dame Etta Cameron) became her passions. After her mother passed over and Carmen her daughter was in kindergarten Mikhala followed another lifelong dream. Horses! She bought Zorro a beautiful black Frisian stallion and received a degree in Classical riding.

Still feeling the music in her spirit, but not sure of the direction. She stayed in the saddle and searched…. Jazz was in her heart, but had been to close for comfort.

Mikhala also had a desire to help others and give back to the community. After a rough divorce, she obtained a Bachelor in clinical Psychology and a Diploma in Bodynamic International (also a therapeutic and counseling education).

Mikhala now lives in Minneapolis with her daughter, where she works as a Life Coach and motivational speaker in the Twin Cities she also is a free lance columnist in a local paper writing about Life Coaching Strategies.

Her debut album “Mikhalized – Jazz Muffin” has made cross over from the Jazz stations to the Urban radio stations! The aim is now is to get this wonderful American music out national, so the youth of America can get to know their own musical heritage of greatness.

“More sweet love in this world and Let’s Dance to Jazz again”

“Mikhalized – Jazz Muffin” will be available for sale on CD at this event. For more information call V-Local at (612) 986-0010.