Patti Parks
Blues Performer Booga Music/VizzTone Records Recording Artist
Patti Parks has found a way to match her love for blues with her life’s most meaningful work – one of the best examples of the well-worn cliché that music is a healing force. She is the embodiment of it." —Making a Scene, album review by Jim Hynes
Patti Parks’ new record, “Whole Nother World,” was produced in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by Grammy-nominated American Bluesman Kenny Neal for his Booga Music label – Neal also performs on all the tracks. Patti’s stunning, sensual and warm voice soars over tracks where blues, Memphis Soul, and Funky Blues prevail. “Whole Nother World” has climbed Blues Radio Charts worldwide, including SiriusXM Radio, and received glowing reviews in major publications. In addition to being a touring musician, Patti is also a working nurse and the creator of the “Nurs’n Blues” education program, which she developed to help high-risk children at drug rehab centers. As a nurse who cares for vets every day, she feels the pain of others and stays true to herself by making healing music. Patti is a survivor who has lived through her own tragedies and come out the other side because of the healing power of the blues.
“Parks’ reputation as a riveting live performer has already earned her considerable acclaim” —Jeff Miers, Buffalo News
Patti shares her life experiences through the lyrics and profoundly connects with everyone who hears her. As a creative person, Patti is willing to explore the full range of the blues genre and beyond. Songs on her album include blues tinged with R&B, soulful ballads evoking sadness and joy, and danceable, upbeat jump blues. Recently appearing on SiriusXM B.B. King’s Bluesville, her collaboration with Kenny Neal and the musicians on the recording has opened other worlds for her and her audience. Patti's riveting performances pay homage to the blues women of the past and take the music to a soulful place. Every show is a good time, where fans enjoy dancing and feeling something profound.
Album - Whole Nother World
Patti’s new album, Whole Nother World, takes her to a new level as a recording artist and is part of what she calls a “spiritual musical awakening.” During the recording session in Kenny Neal’s studio, she felt a connection and musicianship unmatched in her experience. The strengths of veteran blues star Kenny Neal as a producer, arranger, and performer are evident in the success of this album, and listeners can feel the power of the connection Patti had with him, the musicians, and the message of the music.
A recent review by writer Danny Coleman in the New Jersey Stage online magazine describes Patti perfectly. “Patti Parks is the very definition of a performer. A nurse by day and a woman of the blues all of the time; Parks is the epitome of stage presence, class and gives new meaning to the term "Giving back" as she continues to make her presence felt both on stages and off.” Whole Nother World is her debut on recording label Booga Music/Vizztone records and features the vocal diversity that has earned her global recognition as a soulful blues artist.
Honors and Giving Back
Her first album, "Cheat'n Man," received outstanding reviews from Blues Music Magazines such as "Blues Blast Magazine." Her band has performed in many major festivals, including the National Women in the Blues Showcase, the Blues' n March Festival, Ellicottville Blues Festival, Niagara Thunder, Kalamazoo Music Festival, and the Northeast Jazz Festival. Patti enjoys performing at some of the most famous blues venues such as the Funky Biscuit, Ground Zero, Time Out Pub, BB Kings, and Rum Boogie.
Patti is also a nurse who has also received recognition for the Nurse' n Blues program she founded as a way to use the power of the blues to help others heal and promote wellness for people suffering from Chemical dependency. Since 2015, this unique therapeutic program has served 1500 clients, from children to seniors to vets suffering from the effects of war, providing healing through songwriting, lyric analysis, and rhythm circles. The program has been nationally recognized by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tenn, and was the catalyst for Patti's collaboration with Kenny Neal that led to a hit blues album.
Patti was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and received numerous awards for Best Blues Female Vocalist in Western New York. She was recognized with an invitation to perform in the historic National Women in the Blues Showcase in Memphis, Tennessee.