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

Filed under: Danish, Favor Cafe-Minneapolis, International Recording Artist, Jazz, Open to the Public

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 at age 2 with Jazz Legend Louis Armstrong in Copenhagen

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.

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