"If it's good it doesn't need a label." - Toni Gates
This sums up the attitude and music of Toni Gates. Toni began her singing career in the comforts of her own home. Her mom says she started singing along with popular TV jingles as a toddler. No one expected that small voice to become what it is today.

Early on her goal was to be a versatile singer. Toni has far surpassed that goal and over the years has developed an all-encompassing voice that contains great power, range, agility and gracefulness.

Toni's professional experiences include being a church soloist, recording radio commercials, touring as lead vocalist with a big band, singing in cabaret shows, fronting jazz combos and uniting with others in traditional choral and vocal jazz ensembles. She has had the great fortune to hone her craft during visits to Florida, Chicago, the Caribbean and London. Meeting individuals such as Barbara Cook, Clark Terry and Nancy Wilson have encouraged her to continue listening and growing to become a well-rounded musician.

Toni has been worked in many faculties: high school vocal jazz, music theory and choral instructor, grant writer, volunteer coordinator, master conductor, and now, with the release of Outside the Lines, songwriter can be added to her list of accomplishments.

"I don't need to be a superstar, I just want to keep writing and singing. I will continue the dogged search for like-minded musicians who want to write, record and perform in unique venues. I want to be with players who constantly stretch and challenge themselves, appreciate and understand a wide variety of musical styles and want to see who we can touch with our inner songs."

From the beginning music has filled Toni with a great happiness and light; today she is shining brighter than ever.

**** STARS REVIEW

Kansas City original Toni Gates brings a fresh, un-jaded creativity to her music which contrasts markedly with much of today’s mass-produced sound. Gates’ diverse knowledge of music from Nancy Wilson to Ricki Lee Jones to Stevie Wonder lends an indefinable flavor to her own songs. This eclecticism is inherent in the nine original pieces on her debut CD Outside the Lines. But over-riding all descriptions is Gates’ sense of fun with this project. “Making music like this makes me feel like flying … plane not necessary!” she says. - Kellie Bledsoe, Austin Citysearch.com