Hi everyone!
Thank you all for your support of 2018 MAC recurring series nominee, Spotlight On YOU Open Mic! For starters, due to a schedule conflict at the venue, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEXT OPEN MIC IS GOING TO BE ON THURSDAY, MAY 10TH, NOT FRIDAY!!!
The featured musical director the next open mic is the very talented Bistro award winning musical director as well singer/ song writer, Jeff Cubeta.
For those of you who do not know Jeff, here is his bio to peak your interest:
Jeff Cubeta is a Songwriter, record producer, vocalist, and pianist.
Jeff Cubeta will release an EP of electronic dance music in 2018 under the pseudonym Total Tops.
An active nightlife performer, Mr. Cubeta has music directed cabaret shows for Carolyn Montgomery, Raissa Katona Bennett, La Tanya Hall, Salty Brine, Lucille Carr-Kaffashan, Chrysten Peddie, Tom Gamblin, Niki Sorrentino, Hanna Burke, and 2017 MetroStar Winner Emily Ellet. He is the recipient of the recipient of the Bistro Award for Music Director (2017) and the recipient of the MAC Award for Comedy/Novelty Song (2016).
I met Jeff quite a few years ago at the Singers Forum. I have sung with him occasionally and it had always been a wonderful experience! You will have to come and check it out for yourselves! Jeff is warm, talented, patient and wonderfully skilled as a musical director!
For the interview, I asked him the following questions:
1) Can you share with us an interesting fact that most people don’t know about you?
I produce electronic dance music. I released this video two years ago or so (And I am in the process of getting ready to release five new songs in the next few months): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btKRfkh9Y9M
2) What started your passion for music? How did it all began?
I'm not sure. I was playing the organ at home by the age of four, and my brother was doing the same at the same (he was 10), and we started taking organ lessons immediately after that.
3) In all your years in music, do you have a particularly interesting story that you'd like to share with the readers?
Not so much of a story, more of a fun fact: when I lived in Pittsburgh (1999-2006) I was the arranger in keyboardist for the world's only female-fronted Tom Jones cover band. (Tom Jones the singer, not the theater composer.) All of our friends were in punk rock bands, so we would typically perform on the same bill as a punk rock band and a soul band or mod band.
4) What motivates your creativity and passion for life? What inspires your music? Name three things that never fails to put a smile on your face!
For me the passion begets passion. The more I practice my craft, the more I learn and want to share what I learn.
I didn't choose music; it chose me. I derive a lot of joy from music and performing, and I like the fact that it brings audiences joy. Three things that never don't to put a smile on my face are sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, and Pod Save America.
5) Share with us what you have in the pipeline for us to be on the lookout for!
See #1
PICK A SONG, INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND JOIN US AT THE SPOTLIGHT ON THURSDAY NIGHT, MAY 10th!!
STAY TUNED FOR MY INTERVIEW WITH OUR MAY-FEATURED, CELEBRITY, MULTI-AWARD WINNING PERFORMER, AMY WOLK!
Until then, wishing you all, light and lots of love!