If I could point to a great influence in my singing career, Freddie Mercury would be the one to name. His songwriting talent, flamboyance, musicality, and stage presence, not to mention his incredible voice, have always been a great source of inspiration to me.

Years ago, when I was branching away from Queen’s “Greatest Hits” albums that were my introduction to their music beyond the random radio encounter, I started listening to the many songs on their albums that didn’t make it on the charts or were just B sides and less played, and I discovered a wonderland.

The further I traveled through their albums, the more gems I found. Songs that don’t necessarily sound like we expect Queen to sound at all, but like experiments in different genres and styles.

An idea formed. To take my favorites of these lesser known tracks and perform them myself.

About 10 years later, in 2019, I finally realized this idea, called it “Not The Queen You Know”, and brought it to the stage at the famous Don’t Tell Mama in New York City, at Levontin 7 in Tel-Aviv, and Abraham Hostel in Jerusalem.

The Covid-19 pandemic, unfortunately, curtailed any plans I had to continue this project, right up until I came across a notice about the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival in Upstate New York, applied, and was offered a run of five shows by Larry Moss of Airigami at Made On State, a participating venue!

Naturally, I accepted, and had a great run in September 2021!

Many things have happened in the almost three years since I put this show on stage, and lives have shifted. Fabulous pianist Dan Pardo will be joining me and my kazoo on stage for this iteration and a more intimate look at “Not The Queen You Know.”

“Give a little love to me, take a little love from me. I want to share it with you.” ~ Freddie Mercury