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Syracuse-area singer-songwriter Rebecca Keefe Fitzsimmons had a really great early birthday present this past weekend.
She and husband, blues guitarist Todd Fitzsimmons, were invited by Emily Saxe for her show at Lincoln Center. And when they got there, international artist Saxe opened the concert with the song Keefe Fitzsimmons wrote, "Invitation to a Dance."
Saxe put the song on her debut CD "Keeping You in Mind," and both Keefe Fitzsimmons and Saxe have their versions on their myspace pages.
Todd sent me this report:
"The stage/setting is unbelievable with a huge glass window behind the band looking across central park with the manhattan skyline in the background. Becky was in tears halfway through the song. We were also invited to a reception after the show and got to meet the musicians and Emily. Emily's manager said Beck's song was receiving tons of airplay across the country and was their top-selling song on Itunes, begged her to write more. The musicians love her song and complimented her on her writing abilities. These guys tour with Jackson Browne, Shawn Colvin, etc., and were telling her how good she is, she cried again (tears of joy).
"She and Emily met, became quick friends and discussed a video to go with the song. Emily loved her idea. Picture a young couple waltzing together at their marriage clumsily in the beginning to floating across the dance floor as one in their later years, almost made me cry, haha. Becky told me the evening was the most magical of her life. She (has a birthday) this week and this trip was 'the best birthday present she ever got.' "
Now that's a sweet night.
- Syracuse Post Standard
Discography
Women In Blues - NYS Blues Fest
Backup Vocals - Ryan Fitzsimmons - Open All Night -2004
Backup Vocals - Tumbleweed Jones - 2003
Photos
Bio
Rebecca Keefe Fitzsimmons was born on a beautiful little farm down a dirt road nestled in the remote countryside of Earlville, NY; the youngest of seven talented children their home was filled with the sound of music. Her mother was a music teacher and spent many an afternoon teaching violin and piano while her father, a gifted Irish tenor established the Sherburne Musical theatre society. Rebecca's gift was undeniable as she quickly became the lead in many a musical theatre production before the age of 10. After high school she grabbed her guitar and went to Los Angeles to do her first solo gigs at restaurants and coffee houses where she began to explore her talents as a song writer. In 1987 she moved back home to join Red Raville and his 16 piece big band orchestra. Her jazz stylings and command of such a big sound is well regarded as they continue to play festivals, dances, and weddings for over two decades.
It is with her acoustic guitar in hand though that you can get the full dose of her talents. An accomplished finger style guitarist she is proud to own and play one of the first Taylors guitars built by the world renown guitar maker. It is a treat to hear her play it all by itself. In 2003, she was invited to play on the "Women In Blues" CD produced by the New York State Blues Festival. A few years later they invited her back to play the main stage with her big band. In 2005, Emily Saxe, a multi platinum international recording artist, recorded Rebecca's "Invitation To A Dance" and later honored her on her birthday with an invite to the Lincoln Center Jazz Fest to hear it performed by a world class band.
Invitation To A Dance tells the story of a couple getting married and sharing their life together. Rebecca now has the rest of the story to tell and has been recording a full CD of her originals. It is expected to be released in the fall of 2009.
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