Missy likens her musical approach to Soul dipped in Blues. While you wrap your head around that description, consider the early influence of her parent’s extensive record collection of soul, R&B, blues, jazz and gospel. Her mother fanned Missy’s interest in singing early by entering her in a children’s talent contest and practicing with her after school. Missy started singing and performing at six, and particularly loved listening to songs that told stories like those by Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, The Staples Singers and Teddy Prendergrass.

Teenaged Missy released a single which led to a string of club dates opening for the Grammy Award winning American soul and gospel singer, Cissy Houston. Missy’s music career had taken root, and it continued to evolve as she fronted local bands and did professional studio sessions as a background vocalist.

In the late 90’s Missy became one of the original Juke Joint Jezebelles, a gospel, blues, and soul quartet. They performed as an act, and also toured the U.S. and Europe as back-up singers in blues festivals and at clubs. While touring Missy had ample opportunity, and plenty of motivation, to further develop her chops by opening for, and sharing the stage with Ray Charles, B.B. King, Robert Cray, John Hammond, Keb’ Mo’, Kenny Neal, and The Meters.

Missy is a San Diego artist now, but she was born in Detroit, and lived in Queens, NY during her school years. Along the way she discovered the music of Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday, which led her in turn to O.V. Wright, Bobby Bland, Little Milton, James Carr, Ray Charles, Ann Peebles, and Irma Thomas. Like most successful singers, Missy started out trying to sound like the artists she loved. After working her craft, and accumulating invaluable professional experience, Missy’s own fine voice emerged -- which, after hearing once, you will recognize forever more.