It's easy to believe Janiva Magness.
Emotion, sincerity and intensity come across when she sings the blues.
A tragic childhood clearly contributed to Magness' authentic delivery.
“It totally formed my craft,” the 52-year-old vocalist said. “I draw from all of life's experiences, not just the early ones. It isn't just about struggle. It's also celebrating getting through the struggle and coming out the other side. It turns out I'm one of the lucky ones.”
Both of Magness' parents killed themselves when she was a child. Magness had 12 foster homes in two years before she reached the age of 16.
“It turns out the early part of my life no longer defines me, (but) I used to live there every day,” she said. “Most of the days I have great days. A lot of that has to do with the healing of this music, and a large part has to do with when somebody stood up for me when I was at my most unlovable. Now that part of my life helped form my craft. It's nothing short of a miracle.”
“That's What Love Will Make You Do,” is the apt title of Magness' latest album with her new label, Alligator Records.
A seventh-grade English teacher, a social worker and Magness' final foster family are the ones who stepped up for the singer, who is a national spokeswoman for the foster care organization Casey Family Programs.
Magness schedules public and private speaking engagements between her 200 concerts each year, an incredible achievement considering her vigorous singing style.
“I take very good care of my voice,” she said. “I drink no alcohol ever, I smoke nothing, I sleep and, quite frankly, I don't talk if I don't have to. I stop talking, which can get lonely. It's a tradeoff. I'm terribly grateful that this has become my work.”
Magness fell in love with the blues after she hitchhiked to an Otis Rush show in Minnesota when she was a teenager.
“That was it, hook, line and sinker for me,” she said. “It's the only music that's made sense to me.”
Magness is married to bassist Jeff Turmes, who contributed to “What Love Will Do,” but tours with gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples.
Magness will perform at Squaw Valley at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 with a rhythm section, a guitarist and a Hammond B3 organ player.
“It's all about human connection,” she said. “The gift is the music and the job is to help people feel connected. The challenge is to do that honestly.”
It's easy to believe Janiva Magness.