Olivia Duhon

Biography

Olivia was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana, where she was always surrounded by music. Her grandfather, a D-day WWII veteran, instilled in his kids the importance of cultivating ones gifts and talents. Her father continued that principle with his family. She took to the stage early, her first solo was in front of about 2,000 people at the age of eight.

Olivia’s love of jazz was developed through old musicals, such as Rodgers and Hammerstein films and the music of George and Ira Gershwin, like “An American in Paris”. From there she discovered such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Anita O’Day.

She graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in Music and Art History. Olivia performs regularly at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame where she was recently inducted as the Legacy Tribute Award Recipient for 2009. SXhe has performed with such artists as jazz trumpeter Walter White and Tim Ries, who is the saxophone player for the Rolling Stones.

Recently, Olivia was the featured artist in the pilot episode of Rogers State University’s television program, “Blue Notes.” It was an intimate and loquacious commentary between me and the band, while weaving in a live performance of songs.

The past few months have been great for Olivia. She was nominated for the Urban Tulsa magazine’s “Best of Tulsa” Awards as Artist of the Year, Best Female Vocalist and Best Jazz Artist, and recently made the “Hot 100 List” in their highly anticipated yearly article of people to watch for in the coming year.