Interview with author and composer Toni Jannotta
Toni Jannotta started as a dancer, became an actress, performed in children's theater, sang in musical theater, and ended up in jazz clubs. She has written jazz tunes and performed in the U.S. and abroad. Her current project turned her into an author and composer. " My Little Heart, Ruthie " is an illustrated story rhyme with a narrated, jazz-inspired CD to go with it. Toni lives with her piano and violin in Southern California. What inspires you to write about healing? At first I wasn't so much inspired to write about healing as I was urged by something inside me I could not contain. I think the act of writing helps anybody who is healing and I was in heavy healing mode when "My Little Heart, Ruthie" popped out of me. I think sometimes art is so much bigger than we are. How did you realize that music and art heals? When did it happen to you? For many years I simply made vocal jazz CD's. I just wanted to make my music and get paid. It...