The O’Jays will headline the Steppin’ Out Gala.
Jennifer Holliday, one of music’s most talented performers, will sing her Grammy-Award winning song — And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going — at a VIP reception for sponsors and VIP ticket holders this Saturday before The Dimock Center’s 27th Annual Steppin’ Out Gala.The legendary R&B group The O’Jays will headline the Gala.
The song And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, which made Holliday a household name, still holds a special place in her heart and in her life.
“It’s still a great love song not just because I sang it first,” she told the Banner in a phone interview. “For me it’s a song of survival.”
She elaborated by saying, “I’m a survivor and an overcomer. I’ve been out here a long time and struggling and it’s coming around to a very good time in my life. And, there’s still a lot for me to do as a person and as a singer.”
The Texas native began her Broadway career in 1979 at the age of 19 in the production of Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, which earned her a 1981 Drama Desk nomination. But, it was the role of a lifetime as ‘Effie Melody White’, (which she co-created), in the 1981 smash Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, in which Holliday truly made her mark on the Great White Way. Her performance of the show-stopping, heart-wrenching number, And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, catapulted her onto the national stage and garnered her a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical and a Grammy Award for her recorded version of the song in 1982.
Holliday’s performance on Broadway led to a successful solo recording career, as well as roles in several Broadway productions, and television appearances including a recurring guest role on Ally McBeal.
It’s been over 30 years since her songs were on the top of the charts, but Holliday is still making music. She performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra this past June and has collaborated with icons in the music industry from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross and Paul Simon to Maurice White, David Foster and conductor Marvin Hamlisch.
Earlier this year, Holliday released an album called The Song Is You which features a collection of jazz standards. Over the years, the singer has worked with composers doing jazz standards.
“I felt like singing again and I had been ready to sing again for several years, and getting a label deal wasn’t happening,” she said.
So, the music veteran decided to make music on her own label.
Of singing again and doing what she loves, Holliday stated that “it feels good and people want me to sing. It’s a beautiful feeling to be back out here and people wanting to hear and see me.”
Like any great Broadway show, Holliday’s life has been filled with personal and professional highs and lows. The twice-married and divorced performer has always been open with her struggles with depression and weight loss. She’s learned a great deal about herself in going through these challenges.
“I’ve learned more than anything that I’m actually more than one huge song,” she said. “That each human being, no matter what we do, our lives are worthy but we have to go search further inside of our own selves and love ourselves and find one thing, ‘do I have a reason to live and what would that be?’ and search for that.”
Holliday describes her depression as a clinical and medical depression.
“There are times that I’m happy but still feel sad,” she said. “For the most part now, I try to say ‘Okay, if you’re just Jennifer and you’re not a star, how does your life have purpose and how do you live every day?’ I’ve found that out through giving. It has helped me tremendously.”
Over the past several years, Jennifer has performed at numerous fundraisers around the country, including at Mass. Eye and Ear’s annual Sense-sation! Gala which benefitted its Curing Kids Fund earlier this month.
“I thought philanthropy was about writing a check for a million dollars,” she said. “Once I realized that I could inspire others to give by my performances, then I knew I could help them to raise money.”
Of her performance this Saturday at Steppin’ Out, Holliday will perform some songs from Dreamgirls and a couple of songs from her new album. And expect a powerful performance of And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.
“I never deprive my audience of that song,” said Holliday.
The Dimock Center presents its 27th Annual Steppin’ Out Gala with a special VIP reception with Jennifer Holliday this Saturday, November 1 at 5:30 p.m. To become a Steppin’ Out sponsor or to inquire about VIP seats call 617.442.8800 ext. 1354.
The O’Jays will headline the Gala, which begins at 8:30 p.m. with music and dancing until 1 a.m. Tickets are available at www.steppinoutfordimock.org.
