A voice made for the Fourth of July
It’s a year for milestones. Not only is it the 40th anniversar y of the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, it’s also the 35th anniversary of the launch of “Dreamgirls,” the Broadway musical for which Jennifer Holliday won a Tony at the age of 21 in the role of Effie Melody White.
From Broadway, Holliday went on to perform and record everything from gospel to R&B to rock songs, winning a Grammy along the way. In 2014 she released a new album called “The Song is You.” Known for her incredibly powerful voice, Holliday regularly performs with symphonies and other groups. She’ll close out the show on the Fourth, performing “America the Beautiful” with the United States Air Force Band and the Singing Sergeants as the grand finale.
Holliday j oined the Macy’s team in the studio earlier this year to record the song, (listen and download at www.social. macys.com/fireworks/), which proved to be a memorable experience for all involved. “Going into the studio with Jennifer Holliday was breathtaking,” says Amy Kule, executive producer. “It was a small space with just a few people and it was chilling to hear that huge voice come out of that small body. She is so right for a show of this scale and size.”
The Daily News spoke with Holliday about the fireworks, music and the Fourth of July.
You’re going to be singing “America the Beautiful” live on the Fourth of July — tell us about this version of the song.
“America the Beautiful” has always been one of my favorites, and my favorite version of the song was done by Ray Charles, and I’ve done it in that style when I’ve performed the song in the past. Here, we are working with an amazing orchestra, so there’s a lot more involved. I have a big voice, so to me the more instruments the better — I’m one of those who loves to be surrounded by that much more lushness.
You’ve had such a varied career, what else are you working on right now?
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of “Dreamgirls,” we’re doing a reunion concert on July 10 at the Ford Theater in Los Angeles. The anniversary is actually in December, and I’ll be travelling to London to perform then, too.
I’m really enjoying a third act in my life. “Dreamgirls” has become relevant again in the 21st century. I’ve got my career of f to a brandnew star t. It’s a beautiful place to be in.
What does it mean for you, to perform for America?
People get comfort from music. I think of my voice as a healing instrument of love. Whether it’s a Broadway tune that makes you feel something, or you get something out of the lyrics to a song that’s meaningful to you, or it’s in celebration, or a song of gratitude for where we are.
What would you be doing on the Fourth if you weren’t joining us in New York and performing live on NBC?
I’m always working on the Fourth of July — most of us who
are enter tainers are enter taining somewhere, it’s a holiday weekend and I’m usually always singing somewhere, though not on this scale. It’s work and have fun at same time. Do you have a message for America on our 240th birthday? I was born and raised in Texas, and in Texas we celebrate the Fourth of July, and also Juneteenth, when the slaves were finally free. I think in America there is so much opportunity for us to become anything we want to become. I don’t have children, but for children that’s true now more than any other time i n history. Whatever you want to be in life, go after your dreams — they are reachable. I’m 55 years old and get ting a new lease on life. It’s a great time for us to be Americans, to be at the forefront of the excitement of dreaming your dream.