Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Kirk Whalum, Grammy nominated, internationally known jazz saxophonist and Rendezvous/Warner Brothers recording artist puts it this way: "J'Nae's performances are so refined in the furnace of this whacky industry. She is a genuine, lovely person." - Quote
Marc Harris, record producer for Michael McDonald and BeBe & CeCe Winans, wrote about J'Nae's voice like this: "J'Nae's singing and writing is off the hook. She is soooo soulful it's amazing. OK, I'm convinced there's a soul sista on the inside of her." - Quote
Bud Harner, Vice-President of A&R for Verve Records says this after attending one of her shows: "I enjoy J'Nae. She is a strong singer, sings on key and has good stage presence. Her band is good too. I DO think she has the potential to be very successful". - Quote
Louis Taylor, saxophone great that has played with: Kool and the Gang, The Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Teddy Pendergrass, The Temptations, Lou Rawls, Be Be Winans, Aretha Franklin, Stanley Clarke, Al Jarreau and Joey De Francesco, just to name a few, speaks of J'Nae like this: "Whew! What a talent J'Nae is. Man, she's a serious lady. I hear her heart and her passion speaks loud to me. I'm glad, or should I say, I'm proud to know her. She's awesome." - Quote
Beegie Adair, nationally known jazz pianist/artist says: "J'Nae is Sarah Vaughan mixed with Aretha. She's got the 'money' kind of voice". - Quote
Jeff Steinberg, arranger for the Nashville Symphony states: "J'Nae's voice and songwriting is like Ray Charles meeting Gershwin. Her songs are totally unique". - Quote
Robert Peate, known Los Angeles based music photographer says this: "J'Nae is one of the greatest singers, composers and human beings on the World. Her vocal range is from top to bottom, with a power unlike anything you've ever heard before. Her compositions are beautiful, complex and relaxing, all at once. I first heard J'Nae on the evening of October 18, 2001. I had gone to see and hear Ali Handal play in one of Gilli Moon's Songsalive! showcases at the Hotwired Cafe. J'Nae struck me immediately. What does one not expect from a tall, thin woman? A deep, husky jazz voice. What does one not expect from musicians in general? Sincere depth and intensity, in lyrics and performance. Her keyboard playing was masterly. Her album of original compositions, "Better Days" is like a cool summer breeze. While she writes of passionate love and bittersweet loss, in songs such as "Unconditionally", "If You Know Me So Well, and "The Way I Wanted You To", she does so in a way that is always moving, uplifting and inspiring. This young woman is mature beyond her years. J'Nae will get into your soul with her own. The World is very fortunate she is recording." - Quote
J’Nae with Shelly Berg Trio at Steamers
J’Nae is an extraordinary singer of jazz, ballads, and the blues. She has a sultry voice and her showmanship rocks out! She moves to the music while delivering the song she is involved with and puts 100% of soul and heart into each number. This was her first night at Steamers on a hot August 30th evening, and she made quite an impression while being backed by incomparable pianist, Shelly Berg and his trio of bassist, Erik Kertes and drummer, Matt Slocum.
Berg’s trio began the evening with a good number for trio, “How My Heart Sings.” The lovely ballad, “Estate” (meaning “Summer” in Italian) followed. Berg’s piano playing is very melodic; his touch is flawless.
J’Nae is out of U.S.C. and all of Berg and his trio members are as well. She gave us the Bobby Timmons classic “Moanin’” for her first spirited number. As a very bluesy tune, it brought out J’Nae’s talent early on. “Fever” was next. J’Nae knows how to project and she struts and rocks with her well-placed vocalizing. Her original composition, “He Treats Me the Way I Wanted You To” was enjoyed by a medium sized audience, which filled more into the next set.
A tune of famous stature, “I Remember Clifford” was performed eloquently, which is one of J’Nae’s favorites. “Is This Love That I’m Feeling,” by Bob Marley; and “God Bless the Child,” which shows her stage presence and how it propels her forward with her fine feel, keeping the movement of her material swinging. Some of the evening’s picks were from J’Nae’s new CD, Sultry Soul such as another original of hers, “You Are Why I Sing.”
The Berg Trio plays very alive. His blues patterns and piano choruses were incomparable. Shelly Berg is a long standing music professor at U.S. C. Bassist Kertes and drummer Slocum have worked together a lot and have just finished touring the U.S.A. with jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek. “Monk’s “Well You Needn’t” ended the first set.
Among the two songs played opening the second set was the title song, “Blackbird” from Shelly Berg’s new CD, Blackbird. The other was “My Shining Hour,” bringing forth maximum trio splendor. J’Nae sang “Summertime” with some unusual afro-Cuban rhythmic patterns from the trio while she scatted in fine style while Kertes did some groovy soloing on the bass. During Ellington’s “Caravan” Slocum entertained us with some unison rhythmic patterns along with Berg – very together and supportive behind J’Nae’s singing. “Imagine All the People” is an original and on her new CD. The set closed with an original “Little By Little” from her, followed by the ballad “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” and the wonderful “All Blues” with another sturdy bass solo form Kertes. J”Nae’s website is very informational www.jnaemusic.com . Shelly Berg’s is definitely worthwhile to check: www.shellyberg.com .
Glenn A. Mitchell
For L.A. Jazz Scene, October, 2006 issue.
- Glenn A. Mitchell, established and well known jazz reviewer
On Wednesday, December 13, 2006, the official list was announced for the Music Connection's "Top 100 Hot Unsigned Artists of 2006". J'Nae made the cut and is only one of three jazz artists on the entire list! The honor is decided upon by Music Connection staff members, journalists, club bookers, publicists and other industry pros. It is an incredible honor to be included on this list of talent. - Music Connection
Discography
“Soultry Jazz” (A thirteen song album with seven jazz standards, three original songs and three pop songs arranged in the jazz genre) (“Soultry Jazz” is already receiving airplay on several jazz radio stations across the country.)
“Better Days” (A twelve song album with all original songs that is a more crossover R&B/Jazz record)
J'Nae is in Pre-Production for her new album due out in early Spring 2007!
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
J'Nae's voice quality has always had audience appeal since she first began singing in church when she was 8 years old. Her sultry, unusually low voice and powerful vocals command your attention as she uses all of her three-octave range. She is a prolific ASCAP singer/songwriter, writing her passionate music and confessional lyrics for almost three hundred songs.
Growing up in Texas as an only child gave her the family support and opportunities to participate in many diverse musical activities. Dance lessons in jazz, ballet, tap, hip-hop, and modern dance began at age 3. Piano lessons started at age 7 and by age 8 she was winning Texas state wide classical piano competitions. At age 10, she was singing and performing weekly. Throughout high school, she was competing and winning state dance competitions as well.
After performing frequently during her years in high school and college, she graduated with honors from the University of Southern California as the first person to major in Vocal Jazz. Studying jazz at USC broadened her diverse abilities by adding the influences of scat singing and the blues. After graduating from USC with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Jazz, she then completed post-graduate work in Music Business and Songwriting from UCLA. She also attended numerous master classes and studied privately under the great jazz pianist Lori Mechem at the Nashville Jazz Workshop (Nashville, TN.) as well.
J'Nae is a full-time professional musician that performs numerous shows every month. She continuously plays the most coveted artist clubs/venues in the Los Angeles area such as The Temple Bar, The Mint, The Derby and The Baked Potato, just to name a few. In addition to her singing, J'Nae has obtained song placement in TV/Film, toured as a professional back-up dancer, worked as a correspondent on the internationally syndicated cable TV show, “Entertainment That Counts” (with Arthelle Neville) and has performed/recorded numerous voice-overs and jingles for TV including Squirt soft drink and Blockbuster. She continues to obtain TV/Film song placement and currently records jingles/voiceovers as well. J’Nae sings for private corporate functions and works as a studio musician, including background vocals and songwriter demos. As a vocalist, J’Nae consistently plays with prolific, talented musicians including Shelly Berg, Katisse Buckingham, Kirk Whalum, Jay Gore, David Leach, Lori Mechem, Roger Spencer, Chester Thompson, Jack Pearson, Pat Bergeson, Edwin Livingston, Donald Barrett, Brandon Coleman, Tim Kobza, Chris Wabich, and Michael Bluestein. Also, with over 15,000 applicants from all over the world, J'Nae placed in the International Songwriting Competition in both the “Jazz Composition” and “Performance” categories this year. J'Nae not only sings, writes, dances and plays piano, she also acts, plays acoustic guitar and is learning the electric bass, congas and the cajon.
J'Nae has recorded two albums: "Soultry Jazz", a straight-ahead jazz album and "Better Days", a jazz/R&B album. "Soultry Jazz" includes jazz standards, pop songs arranged in the jazz genre and original songs. It receives consistent airplay in the South Eastern United States on several jazz radio stations. This album is available in various Tower Records stores and her website. "Better Days" consists of all original tunes that are definitely still jazz, but with some extra funk and soul. It is available on her website as well. She is currently in pre-production on her next album, due out in early Spring 2007.
Many comparisons have been made and descriptions given of J'Nae's voice. Beegie Adair, nationally known jazz pianist/artist once said that “J'Nae is Sarah Vaughan mixed with Aretha.” Jeff Steinberg, arranger for the Nashville Symphony described J'Nae's voice and songwriting as “Ray Charles meets Gershwin.” Marc Harris, record producer for Michael McDonald and BeBe & CeCe Winans, wrote about J'Nae's voice like this: “J'Nae's singing and writing is off the hook. She is soooo soulful it's amazing. OK, I'm convinced there's a soul sista on the inside of her.” Kirk Whalum, internationally known jazz saxophonist and recording artist puts it this way: “J'Nae's performances are so refined in the furnace of this whacky industry. She is a genuine, lovely person.” A recent featured article in the LA Jazz Scene by Glenn Mitchell, established and well-known jazz reviewer, stated this: “J'Nae is an extraordinary singer of jazz, ballads, and the blues. She has a sultry voice and her showmanship rocks out! She moves to the music while delivering the song she is involved with and puts 100% of soul and heart into each number. . . she makes quite an impression. . . ”
J'Nae has had many musical influences including Jazz, R&B, Classic Rock, Broadway and Classical. J’Nae’s musical heroes range from Billie Holiday, Prince, Dianne Reeves Bill Withers, Debussy and Sting to Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, Doobie Brothers, Me’shell N’Degeocello
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