Meet Tia Rix | Jazz Vocalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tia Rix and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tia, why did you pursue a creative career?
I don’t think that I actually chose an artistic career. Seems to me that music was just something I had to do. It definitely was a love thing!I came to performing straight ahead jazz a little later in my life. My father pleaded with me to NOT pursue a music career. He was a jazz bassist and knew how challenging the life could be. He really did not want that for me. As a matter of fact, he made me promise on his death bed that I would not do the music life! I did keep my word for as long as I could. I actually worked as a registered nurse in the field of neonatal medicine for over twenty years. I became disabled by health problems and had to retire early. During that time, I helped my mother and took care of her until her death in 2008. My mother, who had been a big band singer, did encourage me to be involved in music. I worked in the church for a long time. I began going to jazz jam sessions just before my mother’s death. That was how I entered the jazz music scene. I used to go to Joe Gransden”s jam at Twain’s in Decatur. Then, I started going to other sessions here in Atlanta. I started booking gigs here and there as I was able. And that is how it started. I am grateful to the jazz community for their support. I am most especially thankful to people like Kevin Bales, Neal Starkey, Dave Frackenpohl, Kermit Walker, and others that allowed me to grow and develop my craft.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have really worked hard at finding my own voice! As a singer, I don’t want to sound like anyone else but Tia Rix. I have had the honor of making a CD recording with Johnny O’Neal. He is a world class pianist and entertainer. Making a recording with him was a wonderful experience. The name of that recording is “Dragonfly”. I made my second recording with Kevin Bales, Delbert Felix, and Marlon Patton. It was a basically recorded in Larry Wilson’s studio. The second recording is entitled, “Where You Live”. Both recordings are streaming on all major platforms. I am hoping to do a third recording in the very near future. It is such a great way to document my musical history. I am hoping to include a couple of originals on this next one.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So, obviously, I would want to go to some jazz jam sessions. I would want to go to Ten ATL for a late Monday night excursion. Wednesday night would be at the Red Light Cafe. These are my favorite hang spots. Napolean’s has the Joe Gransden session also on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 10 pm. I also would go to Distillery of Modern Art for the Paul Fisher jam session the first Thursday of the month. These are places that I can attend and also grow my craft.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Kevin Bales has been like a true mentor for me. I also need to acknowledge my parents, Bob Rix and Phyllis Rix for giving me the gift!!

Website: www.tiajazz.com

Instagram: @tiarixjazz

Youtube: @lovelytrix00

Image Credits
Jeri Mize, Susan Rosmarin