Tiffany Gridiron releases jazzy ‘From My Heart to Yours’ LP

Lansing-based vocalist Tiffany Gridiron may echo her legendary influences, like Billie Holiday, Shirley Horn and Ella Fitzgerald, but her new album showcases a dynamic style that’s all her own — think Sarah Vaughan meets Jill Scott. The new record, “From My Heart to Yours,” seamlessly moves from jovial to tender, backed by a top-notch jazz outfit. Friday (Sept. 8), Gridiron will celebrate the release of the record at UrbanBeat in Old Town.

Do you recall your introduction to music?  

Tiffany Gridiron: I don’t remember my first introduction to music because it was with me from the womb. I grew up in the church, the kind of church where I would go four days a week and twice on Sundays. My dad was the minister of music at Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, and my mother was the church soloist. I sang my first solo at 4 or 5 years old, standing on a chair at the pulpit. As I grew older, I continued performing at church and got involved in choir and theater in high school.

When did you start performing live? 

I wasn’t going to church so much in college and was looking for a musical outlet. Jill Scott’s first album came out in the early 2000s, and her authenticity and audacity as an artist awakened an urge to express myself musically. I found an audition flyer in the Michigan State University Music Practice Building to join Professor Sunny Wilkinson’s vocal studio. From the moment I met Sunny, she was encouraging of me as an artist. I met a pianist in that vocal studio who invited me to do my first jazz gig on Valentine’s Day of 2002 at a place in Okemos called the Lighter Side. It doesn’t exist anymore. I was hooked on jazz from then on. 

How did the tracklist for ‘From My Heart to Yours’ come together? 

This project is very much a stretch for me artistically. I have never included so many original works in a CD before. Five out of the eight are originals. I wanted to make sure to represent myself accurately. I am very much an artist who loves to interpret the Great American Songbook, and at this point in my life, I am growing in my capacity to offer more of my voice as a composer and lyricist. My producer, co-composer, arranger and friend, Kris Johnson, was so instrumental — pun intended — in helping me to grow and providing sonic continuity between the standards and originals. 

Can you pinpoint some high points of your career so far? 

I have been able to travel and sing in different countries like Japan, South Korea and Finland. I was able to record with great artists like Omar Hakim, Hank Jones and Kris Johnson. I have been able to perform with artists such as Rodney Whitaker, Lawrence Leathers and Luther Allison. One of the most fun things I have been able to do was play the role of Charlene in Plowshares Theatre Co.’s original cast of the musical “Hastings Street” at the Detroit Music Hall. 

What can people expect at the UrbanBeat release party? 

It will be an exciting show. From the album, we have Kris Johnson on trumpet, Brendon Davis on keys and Nate Winn on drums. Joining us for the evening is accomplished bassist Noah Jackson. To me, this performance is a love offering back to the community that made the making of this album possible.