The Grand Rapids singer will perform with Karen Albert and Lucy Finkel on Friday for ‘So You Think You Don’t Like Opera’ as part of the Music in the Heights series. Learn more about her at Local Spins.
Avalon Cutts-Jones: Displaying a wide range of color in her voice. (Courtesy Photo)
It shapes up as the most unique offering in the third season of Cameron Blake’s Music in the Heights concert series at Grand Rapids’ Alger Park Church.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Billed as “So You Think You Don’t Like Opera,” the concert will feature a dynamic collaboration between mezzo soprano Karen Albert, soprano Lucy Finkel and neo-soul artist Avalon Cutts-Jones, accompanied by pianist Robert Byrens, cellist Jill Collier and violinist Blake.
Blake called the singers “amazing female artists” assembling “a truly remarkable program” that will make a believer out of anyone who attends the performance.
Admission to the concert is free. Doors at Alger Park Church, 741 Walsh St. SE, open at 7 p.m. Friday, with the concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Avalon Cutts-Jones
Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos recently touched base with Cutts-Jones about her music, her incredible perseverance in getting through a difficult time and the year ahead.
Local Spins: What’s been inspiring you lately?
Avalon Cutts-Jones: So actually, it’s been social media. Just to give some context to that, you know, when the pandemic came, as far as artists go, everybody was doing stuff online because they weren’t doing concerts or in-person performances. So it kind of almost forced everyone to think outside of the box. I see a lot of undiscovered talent and tons of gifted people from all different backgrounds, all different ages. And, you know, sometimes with mainstream music, you only get to see artists that have been given an opportunity or have quote, enquote, made it already. So with social media, you know, you get to see people who are just in their living rooms, but they are crazy, talented, crazy gifted.
Local Spins: Was there ever a time you considered quitting music?
Avalon: I’m the type of person who always likes to feel like I’m growing. Sometimes you can feel stagnant or unseen as an artist. And last year was that year for me. I kind of gave an ultimatum to myself in a way. Maybe it’s time for me to switch gears.
LISTEN: Avalon Cutts-Jones, “You & Me, Me & You”
Local Spins: What kept you at it?
Avalon: Well, my own story, from some experiences that I’ve gone through kind of encouraged me to keep going. I was assaulted. I had to have a reconstructive surgery. They told me I had permanent nerve damage, which directly affects my speech and range of motion. The doctors told me I wouldn’t be able to sing anymore. But what the doctor told me didn’t line up with what God spoke over me. If God gifted me with this musical ability, I should keep going.
Local Spins: If you’re open to it, I’d like to ask how that experience, the assault specifically, changed you as a person?
Avalon: It definitely was a test of my faith. I don’t know how deep you want me to go but I mean, it’s kind of a testimony.
Local Spins: Whatever you’re willing to share.
Avalon: I am someone who has always been able to see the beauty in the world and encourage other people. Sometimes that was a bit harder for me to see within myself. And just when I began to kind of get my own self confidence, that’s when the assault happened. And like I said, most of the damage was to my face. So I didn’t look like myself. If I were to show you pictures, you wouldn’t recognize me. My voice was also taken away. As far as self-esteem, it had completely changed.
Hoping to Record a Jazz EP: Cutts-Jones (Courtesy Photo)
Local Spins: What keeps you up at night?
Avalon: Bills. They just keep coming. I’m also a single mother. I have a 15-year-old black son, just to be frank. He’s the best kid and the way our world is keeps me up at night. So conversations have to be a bit different. But then also on a lighter note as a creative mind, sometimes art keeps you up at night.
Local Spins: I’ve learned to keep a notebook on the bedside stand.
Avalon: Same way yes, you know lyrics come and you gotta write them down or you got to pull out your phone and hit record.
Local Spins: How does motherhood influence your your art?
Avalon: So two different ways. Being an independent artist, I want him to be able to pursue whatever his dream is. So my pursuit is something that’s outside of the box, to show him that, you know, if you want to be a martial artist, go for it. Be a painter, go for it. I want to encourage him. That, for me, is the biggest way.
Local Spins: What folks can expect from your live set?
Avalon: I think my shows display my range of color in my voice. I wouldn’t say it’s dark, but it can be with some songs. You’ll hear some of that, but then on the next one, you may hear something that is completely different. There are some spirituals that may feel melancholy and then on the other side, there’s some pride and hopefulness.
Local Spins: What else do you have planned for 2024?
Avalon: Thankfully, my calendar is starting to fill up. A lot of private events, surprisingly. I want to do something more on the jazz side. I would love to record like a jazz EP, and kind of do my own interpretation of some jazz classics. That’d be great.
VIDEO: Avalon Cutts-Jones at Rosa Parks Circle
Copyright 2024, Spins on Music LLC
