The Ghosts Came Back for Jazz

Welcome to Homespun Haints, a true paranormal podcast with a focus on storytelling! And what better format to tell a tale full of emotion than through song? Our guest today, Kimberly Gordon, is a jazz singer who has performed around the world, and today she uses her beautiful voice to tell us the story of her ghostly encounter in an empty theater.

Episode Summary

This episode couldn’t get more classic. First, Kimberly talks about her encounters with spirits and Ouija. Then, she continues with stories of tarot, cemeteries, and magic—specifically the kind of magic required for yogurt-making. When she is recruited to keep the night watchman company in an old haunted theater, she just can’t resist taking that big empty stage. Apparently, the building wasn’t as vacant as she thought!

Episode Promos

Episode podcast promo by I Have a Strange Story podcast

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Episode Show Notes

About Kimberly Gordon

Kimberly is a world-traveler, but to see and hear her, you might think she was also a time-traveler. Her warm honeyed voice brings hundred-year-old songs back to life, and her esthetic embraces elevated speakeasy-couture. She was one of the first women to hold a residency at the historic Smalls Jazz Club in New York. When she’s not singing, Kimberly practices other forms of magic, including kitchen witchery. Be sure to follow her artistic, photographic, and foodie adventures while waiting for a live performance to come to your city.

If you’re interested in hearing Kimberly’s recorded music, be sure to check out one of her albums!

Kimberly’s official bio:

Fourth generation Chicagoan and critically lauded vocalist Kimberly Gordon is sought after by the elite jazz listener. Kimberly’s grandfather was a dancer at the historic Chêz Pareé nightclub and her Nana was a camera girl there, a position aquired by childhood friend and mobster Sam Giancana. These stories and personal ties to Chicago nightclub history laid the foundation for Kimberly’s love of early 20th century music. With a deep understanding of the American Songbook it has led her on a path that celebrates composers, lyricists, and jazz masters alike.

In New York City, Kimberly was the first woman to hold a Saturday night residency at the now historic Smalls Jazz Club in Manhattan. Kimberly’s years in N.Y.C allowed her to perform with jazz greats such as Roy Hargrove, Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Teddy Edwards, Clark Terry, Doc Cheatham, and John Hicks, just to name a handful. 

Kimberly’s sound reflects the old school style of delivering standards, deeply rooted in the ways of the masters, always true to the melody as written; this separates her from the rest. 

When she is not touring Europe or hiding from a pandemic you can find Kimberly Sunday nights at Le Piano weaving her way through the American songbook with long-time pianist/organist Chris Foreman.

References

The notorious Al Capone had his own private booth (and personal entrance fanfare at The Green Mill cocktail lounge in Uptown Chicago, a music joint established in 1907. Becky and Kimberly may have crossed paths at this very place years ago.

Cartomancy: Tarot cards vs. playing cards

Which one came first? Are playing cards used for fortune-telling? Are tarot cards based off of classic playing cards? Would you get your fate foretold with Homespun Haints Tarot cards??? (Not to give too many spoilers, but this might be possible in the near future!)

Until next time, have a spooky day!