Jaz

I am Jesus's artist, He is my Creator..the musical imprint...the marriage between us... is everlasting. Christ has birthed words and music in me before I was born. Poetry and lyrics have been streaming from my pen since 7 or 8 years old. They poured my introverted and enigmatic soul onto the paper, what I couldn't express in real time. My Lord Jesus used the music in me for cultivation, growth, a safe place, authentic communication and healing. When I perform, I am exposed and there are wings. Being on the stage since 5 yrs old, I am as much at home their, as I am behind the pen. I was fed by the gospel of The Clark Sisters, The Winans & Mighty Clouds of Joy. Dined off the contemporary christian of Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith.
I am sweetly and heavily inspired by and dressed in all uniforms of jazz. Ever since my first listen of Chuck Mangione's "Give It All You Got", jazz has been in my skin and bone. As a child I listened to such jazz greats as Swing Out Sister, Basia, YellowJackets & Spyro Gyra. I also enjoyed a lot of overseas artists such as Julia Fordham and Nikki Holland. The radio station Smooth Jazz 106.1(now 96.5) was a constant musical giant in my ears and in my soul growing up and still is. However, I am also influenced by the Broadway of Barbra Streisand and Julie Andrews. By the soul of George Michael and Aretha Franklin. By the blues of Billie Holiday and the rock of Aerosmith. Country and Latin music have also always been a part of my earfest. I pull musical inspiration from every decade. I am as much a poet, as I am a songwriter and so poetics are infused throughout my lyrics and at times even contagious to the song titles. Other people’s storms and rainbows influence my writing. Nature and my own pain as well. Writing is digest. It is confrontation with one’s own soul, a realization of frailties, in which points right back to my author, keeper and creator Jesus Christ. Even if I’m bruised during the creative process, I know growth and healing awaits me and deliverance for others; because we don’t suffer just for ourselves. The journey of a song is a wonder to me, and I am better for it each and every time. If only the title comes first or just a few words. I trust in my Lord’s completion of the song, already written in the spirit.
I have ministered in song & poetry at Ortleib's Jazzhaus, Freedom Theatre, Five Spot, World Cafe Live, Sharon Baptist, WarmDaddy's & Enon Tabernacle among others. I've also been featured on 2 live internet radio shows "GTown Radio on the Rec" and Temple's WRTI "The Bridge" hosted by J. Michael Harrison. Karaoke is a deep passion, and I've done it in different cities, on a cruise ship in deep waters and on the caribbean island of Barbados. Although a soloist, I've come from a world of musical collaborations from within my blood family, church family and musical scene. So I am elated and look forward to more tag teaming in writing and performance. I was raised on acappella, but have still sung to music and I enjoy both styles of performing. I never say I’ve arrived, for I know there is still yet much discovery and growth in the world of music, voice and songwriting for me and I welcome that classroom and graduation. Always to another level…