Leah Tysse sings from the heart. And her soulful voice has a powerful effect, whether she’s performing with her band on stage, contributing to the choral strength at Glide Memorial Church, enlightening high school students or taking a knee while singing the national anthem at an NBA game.
“I feel more comfortable on stage than I do in normal life,” Tysse said, reached by phone at her Berkeley residence. “I’ve always loved to sing. Without an actual conversation, there is communication. I’m not always so comfortable talking to people in a social situation, so that works for me.”
She and her band will communicate at Redwood City’s Club Fox on Wednesday, Jan. 10, serving up blues, funk, R&B, rock and soul.
Tysse said, “My goal is to create an experience that people can relate to. Possibly they’ll hear the music and feel something that will help them in some way in their life. I’ve always turned to music, no matter what emotion I’m experiencing. It can help you through difficult things. It can make a joyful moment even more joyful.”
Raised by a single mom, Tysse was a latch-key kid. Music brought her joy. “I had to entertain myself after school. We had this giant, cabinet record player, where you lift up the top and there are big speakers built in. I had two records — Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ and Earth Wind and Fire’s ‘Greatest Hits Volume 2.’ I would sit with my head as close to the speakers as possible. I connected so much with music. I think we all do. Whether or not you play music, it’s something that’s crucial in terms of the human experience.”
Her first singing idol was Whitney Houston, followed by Aretha Franklin. Tysse grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. At 12, she moved to Maine, where her mother had gotten a job as a professor. Tysse eventually attended college in Vermont. That’s when she delved into the blues. Etta James, Big Mama Thornton and Koko Taylor became inspirations.
Eventually Tysse settled in the Bay Area. Nineteen years ago, she began singing at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.
“At first I would hide in the back,” Tysse said. “The more experienced choir members took me under their wings. After a while, I was given the chance to sing solo. It’s such an amazing choir and band and to have that huge congregation, it’s a totally different experience from other gigs.
“Music helps a lot of people through their daily lives. It’s a refuge for them for a couple of hours on Sunday and hopefully it can stay with them through the week. To be able to be part of that musical ministry has so much meaning for me. I’m so grateful for it.”
Singing solos at Glide opened up other opportunities for her. Among artists with whom she often performs are Pete Escovedo and jazz guitarist Ray Obiedo.
A number from Tysse’s 2007 debut album was named Best R&B Song in Billboard’s World Song Contest. Her more recent album, “Love Again,” was picked up by Sony for digital distribution. She has new songs ready to record. Over the years, the subject matter of her originals has ranged from social issues to heartbreak.
Two years ago, Tysse was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surgery and treatments, she’s now in the clear.
“I’m very fortunate and grateful to be a survivor. As strange as it might sound, in the end, it’s been a blessing, in terms of people that I’ve met and my personal health. I’m more aware of fitness and nutrition and my environment, right down to the lotion that I use. You have an emotional day here and there, but I really had a positive outlook on the whole thing from day one.”
Tysse’s courage was again on display when she knelt while singing the national anthem at a Sacramento Kings game last year. She had been booked months before the protests began. She faced a choice — perform as expected, cancel, or sing and show solidarity with the protesters by taking a knee. Tysse followed her conscience.
“It was a result of seeing what was going on — and what continues to go on — in terms of injustice, police brutality and people being murdered, basically. I certainly don’t think all police are bad. But there’s obviously a problem going on here. I felt like I was on a moving train and this was something I had to do.
“As an artist and performer, that was a chance for me to have a voice. When there’s anyone experiencing injustice, especially this level of injustice, I feel like it’s our responsibility as patriots, to stand up and do what we can.”
She posted the video of the protest on YouTube (http://bayareane.ws/Leah_Anthem), along with a statement. It has received a million views, garnering strong reaction, both pro and con, including obscene comments. Tysse feels that she did the right thing.
“It’s infuriating what continues to go on — the division in our country, the struggles of people of different backgrounds. Why can’t we all support each other, across political lines, across racial lines? I’m not sure how you cannot say something or do something, if you have the chance.”
The Love Again Project, which Tysse founded, gives her a chance to help people in other ways. She has spent time in East Bay schools, through the non-profit 51Oakland, using her musical knowledge to work with kids. She also donates a portion of proceeds from selected shows to charities.
“It’s me trying to find a way to give back, through what I do. And maybe it will put into other people’s heads that they can do something like that, through whatever they do, to give time, money or expertise.”
Of course, her music itself — the extraordinary, stirring voice, the moving songs — affects people, as well.
“I always hope to give them an intensified emotion, give them something where they see, ‘Oh, other people are going through the same thing as me.’ And maybe something troubling in life can be a little more bearable because of that.”
Email Paul Freeman at paul@popcultureclassics.com.
Music
Who: Leah Tysse Band, Club Fox Blues Jam
Where: Club Fox, 2209 Broadway St., Redwood City
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018
Tickets: $7; http://www.clubfoxrwc.com; 877-435-9849
Artist website: http://www.leahtysse.com
