We had the good fortune of connecting with Jodi Siegel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jodi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve been a musician my whole life. My Dad was also a composer and piano player. He insisted that my two brothers and I pick an instrument and learn how to play it. I started playing the ukulele when I was 8 and switched to the guitar soon after. It was like falling in love; heart and soul. From that moment on I knew I had found not only who I was on a deeper level, but what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I still have that same wonder and excitement about music and playing guitar that I did as a kid.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I feel like I’m a songwriter. First and foremost. I’m constantly writing and creating. But I’ve also been a working musician for decades. Playing any and every gig available; clubs, restaurants etc… playing covers and originals. Those gigs allowed me to practice my craft; singing and playing guitar in front of people. They also helped me create a style and musical sound that influenced my songwriting. I’ve also had the good fortune of opening shows for a variety of people like Albert King, J D Souther, Robert Cray, Fred Tackett and the late great Paul Barrere of Little Feat and others. The lesson is get up every day and make music. Never quit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had so many mentors over the years. Starting with my Dad, Sid Siegel. He wrote industrial musicals, jingles and even did the music in a movie with Marcel Marceau. He loved music to his core. While I loved the classic American songbook tunes that my Dad was influenced by, I was also completely enamored with soul and blues music, jazz singers like Billie Holiday and singer songwriters like Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Carole King. Fast forward to my early 20’s when I moved to the art community of Laguna Beach, CA, and I have to give a shout-out to all the great songwriters and musicians during that time; Too many to mention.

Website: jodisiegel.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100024849346799

Image Credits
Robert Steshetz

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.