Multimedia Performing Artist-
Linda Marie Smith was born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago. She attributes her many musical influences to her mother who exposed her to opera, ballet and musical theater.
Smith has written songs for over 30 years and through her continued development as a singer/songwriter and performer, she has discovered that she is most passionate about presenting her work through a multimedia approach. Her vocal style centers around a folk rock sensibility. Smith's music is romantic, soulful, earthy and mystical; her lyrics and melodies weave colorful stories of intriguing people and curious places.
Smith's music is about feminine power, courage and resilience. At present, she is delighted to be working on her third music/multimedia concert.
"FRIDA KAHLO - A WOMAN WHO DARED"
This new work in progress explores the life and work of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. Smith's newest songs tell the story of Frida's early life, her relationship with her father, a horrific accident, her tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera and her journey in becoming one of the most prodigious artists of the 20th century. Smith envisions this live performance piece similar to her other multimedia projects. She will be accompanied by a rich musical ensemble and reconstructed video images of Kahlo's paintings, photographs and more.
"Mearra~Selkie From The Sea" based upon a Celtic fairytale premiered nationally on PBS in 2016 and critically acclaimed "The Triumph of Artemisia", inspired by the life of revolutionary 17th century Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi are Smith's first two conceptual projects.
While her primary focus is on presenting Mearra and Artemisia, she occasionally performs music from her first two projects, "Blame It On The Moon"and "Linda M. Smith" along with select cover songs in listening room venues and summer festivals throughout the Midwest.
Smith has been honored by Billboard Magazine. The Illinois Arts Councilin conjunction with the National Endowment for the Artshas recognized her. In addition to recording and performing, she teaches privately and at the Old Town School of Folk Musicin Chicago as well as conducting seminars and master classes at schools and colleges. She loves to inspire and encourage her students to fearlessly express themselves through singing and playing guitar like nobody's watching!
Ms. Smith co-produced and performed with Barbara Barrow in "THE GRAPES OF WRATH - A FOLK OPERA", music by Michael Smith and was also delighted to be a part of Michael Smith's "SNOWQUEEN" at the Victory Gardens Theater where she worked with renowned director Frank Galati and puppetry master Blair Thomas.
Linda and her band have enjoyed reoccurring performances at the St. Michael Old Town Art Fair, Naperville Rib Fest, Long Grove Fine Art Fest, and Lincoln Square Summer Concert Series as well as shows at The Art Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo and, more recently, The University of Chicago. Smith performs a variety of music drawing from her tenure at the Old Town School of Folk Music and incorporates a sublime balance of her own original music.
She lives on the Northwest side of Chicago with her band mate and husband Robert and their beloved golden retriever Daisy. She enjoys cooking, traveling, gardening, reading, and all kinds of movies. She dreams that someday she will live in a house overlooking the Caribbean ocean.