Habaka KFJ performing with Soulful Stew in the Westgate Cabaret Room during the sold-out Las Vegas Blues Society Pre–Blues Bender Party.

On June 23, I stepped away.

After more than 30 years of performing, creating, producing and constantly moving toward the next thing, I took a real vacation—nearly two months of rest, reflection and stepping away from the noise.

On September 8, I returned.

And I didn’t quietly ease my way back into performing. I returned to a sold-out Blues show at the Westgate Resort & Casino for the Las Vegas Blues Society’s Pre–Blues Bender Party!

Now that is what I call ending a vacation with a BAAAAAM! 💥

The Butterflies Were Waiting

As I stood backstage listening to Soulful Stew play my entrance music, my stomach was filled with butterflies.

But let me tell you a little secret: I always have butterflies before I walk onto a stage. They stay with me right up until I sing that first note. Then something happens—the nerves disappear, the music takes over and Habaka enters the building. 🤣

While I waited backstage, I could see the band and the audience on the monitor. I remember thinking about what a gift it was to come back refreshed and step onto the stage in the Westgate Cabaret Room—a room where I had previously sat in the audience and watched many of my favorite artists perform.

This time, I wasn’t there to watch.

I was the artist preparing to walk onto that stage.

And something felt different.

I felt as though I absolutely belonged there.

Not in a cocky or arrogant way, but with the quiet confidence that comes from finally knowing your worth. Looking at that screen reminded me that this is what I have been doing for more than 30 years.

I knew exactly why I was there.

I was ready to go out, have fun and give the audience a show. I call it spreading the love.

That Big Festival Feeling

The moment I hit that first note, I was home.

The response from the audience and having quite a few Honey Bees there, immediately let me know: Yep, Habaka was back!

Their energy took me back to the large festival stages where I performed abroad. There is a particular feeling that comes from standing in front of a crowd that is completely open and ready to travel wherever the music takes them.

Soulful Stew and I were ready to take them there.

The biggest moment of the set came when we slowed everything down and moved into a song with a real swampy Mississippi Blues feeling.  It was my tribute to my mentor, the iconic Jazz singer, Cassandra Wilson that had just recently passed away and it was her rendition that inspired me. 

I had planned to introduce my new pocket washboard, Miss Rusty, that evening. But with three bands performing and musicians moving on and off the stage, there was a lot happening. I decided that a sold-out show was not the moment to pull out a brand-new instrument that I had not yet had time to become completely comfortable playing.

A good performer knows how to make a plan.

An experienced performer also knows when to change it.

That is where my Cabasa stepped in.

I began playing it at the opening of the song, and its sound created a mysterious atmosphere before my husky tone entered the music. It was exactly what the song needed.

Then, suddenly, my bandleader came in with a trombone solo.

Now, most people don’t immediately associate the Blues with a trombone—but I do!

That is what I call a Habaka Sting moment.

It is the beauty of musical craftsmanship: having the ear and experience to recognize that an instrument may be unexpected, but in the right setting, it works like a charm.

And it worked!

When we finished the song, the crowd went crazy.

As a matter of fact, they stood up!

Knowing When to Trust Yourself

Miss Rusty didn’t make her official debut that night, and that was perfectly fine. Her moment will come.

The Cabasa was the right instrument for that stage, that song and that exact moment. My judgment was on point, the arrangement worked beautifully, and Soulful Stew and I were a hit.

That is another thing my vacation gave me: the space to hear myself more clearly and trust what I already know.

I didn’t return believing that I had something to prove. I returned knowing that I had something to give.

There is a difference.

I returned home that night with unspeakable joy in my heart, knowing that Soulful Stew and I had made an impact. We had touched the hearts of the people in that room, and they had poured that love right back into us.

After nearly two months away, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect return to what I love.

The vacation ended.

The stage lights came on.

The Queen Bee was back—and she’s still making the Honey! 🍯🐝💥Hugs