Interview: 'The Music of Whitney Houston' Comes To Life With Rashidra Scott

By: Jan. 21, 2015
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From an early age, Rashidra Scott was known as the little girl with the big voice. "She's the reason why I'm singing," Rashidra said of Whitney Houston.

After earning her bachelor's degree from Boston's Berklee College of Music, Rashidra sang for Walt Disney Entertainment as a featured vocalist on the Disney Cruise Line and Tarzan Rocks! at Disney's Animal Kingdom. She was a proud member of the opening team for Hong Kong Disneyland as Nala in the Festival of The Lion King.

Rashidra has been on Broadway in lead and ensemble roles in AVENUE Q, FINIAN'S RAINBOW, HAIR, SISTER ACT, and currently, BEAUTIFUL.

After already receiving glowing reviews from her performances with the St. Louis Symphony and the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, Rashidra makes her way to Jacksonville, Florida, this weekend to once again take on The Music of Whitney Houston.

BWW: I know right now you're in BEAUTIFUL on Broadway and have been in numerous other Broadway shows. So tell me, how did you get into theatre and performing?

Scott: I always like to say it started mostly because, for a while, my mom was raising me as a single parent. So coming home, I had all the energy in the world because I was an only child for her. So she put me in dance classes. It started out as a hobby - as something to do. She was a little surprised by the time my junior year of high school came around and I told her I did not want to go to school to be a doctor. I wanted to sing and perform. I sort of just grew up doing it.

What theatre role is your dream role to play? Why?

There are a couple of them. One is Aida in AIDA. I was actually cast in a production of AIDA to do it regionally, but had to turn it down to do SISTER ACT on Broadway. Also, the role of Sarah in RAGTIME, for no other reason than to sing, "Your Daddy's Son" and "Sarah Brown Eyes." I mean, why not?

What role did Whitney Houston play in your life, growing up as a singer?

She's the reason I'm singing. I remember being younger and there was always music playing - the radio was always on. I would always sing along with the radio. I think "Greatest Love of All" was one of the first songs that I actually learned. One day my mom had company over and I stood there and made her listen to me sing. "Greatest Love of All" was the first song my mom actually heard me sing and she realized I had a gift. From that day on, I started taking voice lessons and it all fell into place from there.

Let's talk about The Music of Whitney Houston with the Jacksonville Symphony and Brent Havens. How did this partnership between you and the music of Whitney come about?

When I was in high school in my area of Virginia, we had the Governor's School for the Arts. Chip Gallagher, who is a department chair there, recommended me to a guy who was searching for a lead singer for a Whitney Houston show he was looking to do. Chip, ever so gracious, thought about me and passed my info along to Brent. Long story short, Brent got in touch with me. I was actually doing SISTER ACT at the time when he first wanted to do the show. He had to take a break because she unfortunately passed away while he was trying to get the show going. But I eventually auditioned for him. I did three songs with him and the band in a studio and within a week or two he gave me a call back and told me I booked it.

Where were you when you heard that Whitney passed away?

We were in the middle of a show for SISTER ACT, and there was a number we had in act two, "Fabulous Baby." We were about to go into that number around intermission when we started hearing whispers of it maybe, but I definitely remember when we were set up behind the drop curtain for the reprise that we were thinking, "this is for you, Whitney!" After the show we all just jammed out to Whitney. I came home and just broke out sobbing. Literally, she helped me find my voice; there was something in her voice, her music, and her artistry that just resonated with me at three years old.

I've read reviews from the other performances you've done with The Music of Whitney Houston. How does it make you feel to know people are approving of your performance and singing your praises?

It's very humbling. I always make it abundantly clear that no one's voice ever comes close to matching Whitney's. I don't try to figure out different riffs or different melodies. All I am doing is my absolute best to honor her to the best of my ability, using my gifts and talent. Her studio recordings are absolute perfection. I want to honor her voice and her memory.

Obviously it goes without saying that Whitney Houston is a national treasure. What pressure, if any, do you feel to make her and her legion of fans proud?

Oh absolutely. She's such a treasure, and it's also very easy to judge anyone that tries to sing her music. It is definitely terrifying. As many times as I've done the songs and done these performances, I still get so nervous. The opening song is absolutely nerve-wracking for me. Not that I don't have the confidence in myself, it's just that every song is a well-known Whitney song. At one point it's just me. It's nerve-wracking, but humbling. It is not lost on me what an honor and responsibility it is.

Of all the songs you tackle, which Whitney is your favorite to sing and why?

Of all the times I've done it, I've never gotten through "One Moment in Time" without crying. It just resonates so much with what I do as a performer. Every audition and every show is just my one moment in time to shine. It is so unbelievably beautiful to hear that song with an orchestra. I've also come to enjoy "How Will I Know." I adore the two background singers. They are so much fun and it's one of my favorite things about doing this show because I get to see and hang out with them. It is a lot of fun for me because I make a joke of dragging them into it. I tell them I picture the song as Whitney and her best friends at a sleepover having girl talk.

What song is not in the show, but you wish it was?

The first show I did in St. Louis we did "I'm Knockin'" in the set list, which is an extremely unknown Whitney song. I had actually never heard of it until I got the set list. It's just fun! It's a little jazzy and I remember taking it to my voice teacher and just falling in love with it.

What can people expect this Saturday night when they come to hear The Music of Whitney Houston?

Just fun! It's a trip down memory lane. Like I said before, I do my absolute best to honor her, in no way am I trying to be Whitney. No way am I going to try and out sing Whitney. This is the most respectful way that I know how to honor the woman who literally helped me find my voice, gave me a start, and is the reason I'm doing what I'm doing. People should expect to have fun and hear some of your favorite Whitney jams!

Arranger Brent Havens created this show for orchestra, and will conduct Rashidra and the orchestra. His work includes movies for ABC, CBS, and ABC Family, commercials, music for sports networks, and cartoons. He worked with the Doobie Brothers and the Milwaukee Symphony, arranging and conducting the combined group for Harley Davidson's 100th Anniversary and has led orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, Malaysian Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and countless others.

Tickets for The Music of Whitney Houston range from $39 to $79. For more information on tickets or to make a purchase, call 904-354-5547 or log on to jaxsymphony.org



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