Ooh La La has been performing throughout Southern California and Las Vegas in our current configuration since December 2008.. Many things about barbershop harmony resonate with us personally, and each of us has our own story about how we got involved.
Ooh La La’s tenor is Ooh Barbara Bayles Adams, also known as “Loquacious La La,” (for obvious reasons). Barbara is celebrating her 30th year with Sweet Adelines this year. It was a probable event; both her parents were ‘barbershoppers’ and she sang for years with her mom in L.A. South Towns and is now a member of the Santa Monica Chorus. Barbara has an American flag collection of red, white and blue chorus medals but a Regional Quartet medal has eluded her. She has high hopes for Ooh La La. Barbara worked in project management for 24 years, but loves her new job as a Realtor® and she can find your dream house! She is a UCLA graduate (go Bruins!) and earned her MBA at CSULB. Barbara is married to Allen and they have a 9 year old daughter, Cambria. Allen and Barbara both sing in their church Praise band while Cambria dances. Cambria is taking after her Auntie Jonni and will likely be a Baritone - or a Lead, she definately has the personality! Barbara lives in Huntington Beach, and if you see a silver convertible on the freeway with the license plate "HBTENOR", please wave hello!
Leah La La has been an active member and leader in Sweet Adelines since 1995. She has held nearly every position imaginable! Leah is a Certified Director in Sweet Adelines and is currently the Visual Coordinator/Choreographer and Assistant Director for Celebrity City Chorus. Wait ‘til you see her moves! Leah brings “drama” to the quartet using her extensive theatrical background, but we feel her best roll is that of “Leading La La”. Leah and her husband, Rip, are self employed. They are involved in sound and video production as well as convention services. They are also very active in their church, with Rip serving as interim pastor this coming summer. Our Leah, a preacher’s wife! Among their greatest joys, are their kids and grandchildren. Leah and Rip live in Las Vegas, Nevada, with their African Grey Parrot, Misty.
The tall La La at stage right is Jonni, our sharp-eared baritone. She has been singing and dancing since childhood, and plays classical piano when she can fit it in between events. Jonni has been a member of Sweet Adelines since 1986. She is a Certified Director, and is Associate Director of the Santa Monica Chorus. Jonni is a second generation barbershopper. Her Dad, Chuck Leavitt, sings with Voices in Harmony in the Barbershop Society. By day, Jonni has worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car for 26 years and is a Human Resources Manager. Jonni Loves to cook, so we call her "Luscious La La". She is recently married to her childhood sweetheart, LeRoy, and the two of them spend their free time playing bass (him) and singing (her) in the Christian praise band, the Jeff Mercer Band (jeffmercerband.com). Between them, Jonni and LeRoy have 4 children and 7 grandchildren! They live in Huntington Beach. Jonni’s a total beach babe!
Our sultry bass has been singing and performing with her seven siblings since childhood. It's in her blood. Judy's the one with the "come hither" growl as lusty Lola, and her deep, but oh so femme tones underscore all the harmonies. Married last summer, the former "Valley girl" and insurance adjuster turned into "Orange County Housewife", inheriting three wonderful kids along the way. She and her college prof. hubby enjoyed transforming their new house into a home. In idyllic Brea, they explore the happening clubs and restaurants of North Orange County (and Judy steals away to the trendy nearby Brea Mall - shhh! don't tell). One of Johann Sebastian Bach's greatest fans, Judy loves a good laugh and craves adventure. She's been a proud member of the Santa Monica Chorus since 2001, and active in quartets nearly as long.
