Mother’s Day is special for noted singer Denise Thimes.
She will perform in her 28th Annual Special Mother’s Day Concert in support of the Mildred Thimes Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research on Sunday May 12 at The Sheldon. The 2024 theme is “Honoring Our Mothers – “The Givers of Life”
Named for her mother, Mildred Thimes, Denise Thimes’ is a co-founder and serves as executive director of the foundation. Joined by Johnny Furr, the foundation was founded in 2012, and continues to appeal for more education and awareness for the disease that took her mother in 1997.
“This organization is committed to making a profound difference in the fight against this disease,” according to Thimes on the foundation website.
“Through tireless efforts and strategic initiatives, the foundation has made an impact on various fronts, bringing hope and support to patients, families and the scientific community.”
Of course, Thimes remains committed to a career that has spanned almost three decades and a voice that has taken her to the four corners of the world.
The daughter of radio icon, the late Lou “Fatha” Thimes, Thimes has performed with jazz greats including Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the late Clark Terry, Dr. Billy Taylor, Earl May, Benny Powell, and James Moody.
She has also graced the stage with Houston Person, Jimmy & Tootie Heath, Bobby McFerrin, and Bucky Pizzarelli.
Thimes toured Paris with Kirkwood native David Sanborn and performed for the Queen of Thailand and Queen Elizabeth II (during her 2009 visit to the U.S).
President George W Bush and family were part of the audience at the White House 2007, and she was personally selected by Aretha Franklin to perform for her 72nd birthday celebration in 2015 at the Ritz Carlton in New York.
Thimes is also an accomplished actor with the St Louis Black Repertory. She has been honored with eight Woodie Awards (named after Freedom Theatre Founder Woody King in New York) for leading and supporting for performances.
In 2022, she played the role of Nana in Her role in Metro Theater Company’s musical “Last Stop on Market Street.”
“I communicate with my audience, no matter what. If it’s through theater or if it’s through song, you tell the story — you connect with your audience,” she told St. Louis Public Radio.
“I’m connecting with people, and they feel what I’m giving them.”
She adds that singing in a musical is quite different than a musical performance.
“It’s not like singing some ballads, where you can improvise and take your time and say things and play with the music and the words and all this. This is more by the book,” she said.
“But I can still do some things, put the Denise Thimes thing on it, you know.”
The 28th Annual Special Mother’s Day Concert presented by The Mildred Thimes Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer “Honoring Our Mothers – “The Givers of Life” is Sunday May 12, 2024, at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd.
The pre-concert dinner is from 3-5 p.m. in the Konneker Room, and tickets are $60. This does not cover the ticket for the concert.
Tickets for the 5:30 p.m. concert are available through Metrotix and are $60 for VIP floor seating and $50 for balcony seats.
For additional information call Velma Fulks (314) 783-7700
