Article Contributed by Dan Ward
Published on 2026-05-06
Yolonda Lavender | photos by Dan Ward
The night is wonderfully cool and calm, the perfect spring evening. At Bell’s, Racheal Reinholtz is solving all the last-minute issues before the second show of her Spring Concert Series — and what a show it is going to be. Racheal has convinced three of Kalamazoo’s finest to grace the stage and bring inspiring music to Bell’s. It will be a night to remember for those in attendance and one to regret for those who didn’t make it out.
First, we have Asia Sings, the young schoolteacher who has a passion for educating and inspiring. She leads off her set with her original “Running Through My Mind.” Her voice, full of conviction, sings directly to the audience, and they immediately belong to her. The room sways to her words as she moves on to Mutsi Bacardi’s “Session 22,” backed up by two more originals, “3 AM” and “Phases.” They work their magic.
Asia has brought a full-force band to back her up. These young musicians are the future of music, and they show that music is in good hands. Three men provide vocals that elevate Asia’s singing, while bass, drums, guitar, and keys support the whole venture. They move on to another Asia original, “S.O.S.,” flowing out bluesy and strong.
Asia works the room right to the point she wants them — loving her and loving her talent. She promises a special original to close the set, but first breaks out a pair of covers, “Love Song” and “Body,” while the crowd soaks in the good vibrations. Asia holds true to her word and finishes with her brand-new original “Eyes on You.” Yes, it was worth the wait, and you should go find this rising star for yourself.
The crew works like they are possessed changing the gear for the next act. They don’t want the fans to recover before unleashing the next talent, Ja’Leeyna. Her band arrives first — a simple trio of drums, bass, and guitar, unassuming and withholding what is to come. Then Ja’Leeyna enters, and we are taken back.
The voluptuous and statuesque songstress speaks softly, with clarity and a smile from ear to ear that brightens the room. Then she sings. Her voice is huge and dances around the room without a care as she performs a medley of “Turning Around for Me,” “Let Go,” and “As Soon as I Stop Worrying.” The room rings with her voice.
Ja’Leeyna helps the fans with her name, knowing people are going to want to find her online. She sings a set of covers in her own style that display her formidable talent. Jon B’s “They Don’t Know,” Mary J. Blige’s “Everything,” Olivia Dean’s “So Easy (To Fall in Love),” and Alicia Keys’ “Unbreakable” surround us with joyous sound. Each song is easily recognizable, yet truly belongs to Ja’Leeyna.
Time to break into some heavy standards with Chaka Khan’s “Angel,” Sienna Spiro’s “Die on This Hill,” and, covering one of the greatest singers who ever lived, Ja’Leeyna takes on Ella Fitzgerald’s “Summertime.” She pulls it off nicely.
The band works effortlessly supporting Ja’Leeyna. They give her amazing voice a solid foundation to launch her creativity, and we are blessed with their presence. Time for Ja’Leeyna to bring us back to the station as she sings a very impressive version of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” She too writes her own material and bestows her original “Thank You” on the fans. The set closes with a wonderful rendition of Maze’s “Before I Go,” a great closer.
The main event is about to unfold, but something is very different. You see, when the international sensation Yolonda Lavender steps on stage, it is no longer Bell’s Back Room, but rather Ms. Yolonda’s parlor. A small table set with a beautiful arrangement of roses, complete with a large piece of Himalayan salt and lovely incense, sits beside her. An aloe plant has its own perch near the lone microphone and stool center stage. The band enters and plays Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.” Well, yes, she is.
Yolonda enters like your favorite aunt coming to have a talk. She takes time to water her aloe before addressing the fans, and they eat it up. She tells us what we already know: we are here to hear some righteous blues sung by a world-class talent who just happens to be a local. Her set starts with her original “Kalamazoo.”
Oh, it is very tough to be invited to sing before such a talent — worse when you both cover the same song. Yolonda bursts out with her own version of “Crazy.” It does not diminish how wonderfully Ja’Leeyna covered the song, but it exemplifies the effect experience has on a performance. Yolonda melts our minds with sheer intensity.
She speaks to the audience as if we are all old friends dropping by for a chat and some DNA-altering blues. We all become better people just listening to Yolonda sing. Her originals “Love” and “Let Go” are backed by “Prototype” — just fascinating. Yolonda can whisper like a hurricane and shout like a gentle breeze. Her control over her perfectly trained voice is what we all love, and she shares her talent freely.
Time passes without our knowledge as the fans rush to get pictures of the great star, as if our feeble phones could capture the reality of her voice. Yolonda isn’t just an amazing talent — she is a true believer, mentoring local talent through her own organization, Soul Artistry. The organization is a leading force within the arts, culture, and community engagement family.
She sings her original “Sink or Swim,” and we shake our heads in agreement like children accepting advice from a beloved mentor. Yolonda puts her knowing touch on “Lively Up” before ending the set with “Thursday Blues.” She is a must-see whenever she is playing. Kalamazoo is truly blessed and honored to have so much talent in one city.
