Rajdulari

My Spread in AfroElle - AfroElle Dec 2011

A journey to the Grammys doesn’t always begin with a lot of cash and an entourage. Sometimes it begins simply with a huge talent, a lot of perseverance, and a dream.

Rajdulari (she doesn’t use her last name professionally) is a lady who has made it her mission to dream big. Since the release of her debut solo CD "Honeywine", Raj knows it’s her best shot at making that Grammy dream a reality.

Life hasn’t always been a smooth ride. “Raj” as her friends call her, was born in Baltimore, raised by a single mom and spent much of her childhood in Michigan. Although her name is a Hindi word meaning “daughter of a king,” there wasn’t always much money when she was growing up, but there was plenty of music. “My mom always listened to jazz when I was younger.”

“I left home at 17 and worked for ten years before going back to school at age 26.” She was accepted at the very prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. On Berklee: “I was really intimidated at first, thinking all these people sang better than I did, but after I went for a while I started to find my own voice. Being around all those musicians actually helped me to be more myself.”

Raj isn’t a tiny lady. She is all about curves, and she’s proud of her body. “Who I am is part and parcel of my music. It’s important for young women to see they can be whoever they are. I embrace my curves! Thank goodness mainstream media is finally starting to promote curvy women – look at Toccara Jones, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott.” Just like the singers who inspire her, Raj isn’t about easy labels. “I love Diane Reeves and Bobby McFerrin, Jill Scott, Chaka Khan. Those are some of the folks I listen to for inspiration.”
Raj has no aspirations to be a pop singer. She’s a jazz vocalist.

Raj recently moved to New York City, completely unfamiliar with the city and knowing only a few friends. It was a huge leap of faith. She knew however that if she answered the call to follow her dream, she would have an “enriched life.” She quickly found her way, and let her voice be heard. She now works in an office during the day, but loves to sing after hours. She’s been appearing a lot at a little club called Billie’s Black.
Her CD was a labor of love. Raj’s musician friends helped her record it, but it’s a polished effort. She wasn’t going to sit around and wait to be “discovered,” either. “I don’t need anybody to hand me anything. This music is my baby. I need to share it with people.”

If you listen to “Honeywine” you will quickly learn that Raj has an amazing voice, and she paints music with a broad palette. “When I decided to branch out, I knew I wanted to do fusion. Music is a language with a lot of colors.”

Raj wrote most of the songs on “Honeywine,” and she is justifiably proud of her accomplishment. Every song has particular meaning for her. “My favorite song on the album is “Purpose.” It really outlines my mission. It’s important for any dream that you CLAIM it. When I listen to “Purpose” it reminds me of who I am and what I want!”

“America” is a love song for America. What beauty we have here. There is even beauty in our differences. Despite all the problems in the country, we need each other. We need to celebrate each other.”
Why should someone buy Honeywine? “It’s not something you’ve heard before. I really want people to feel like I’m giving them jewels from my heart and to be as excited about the music as I am.”
The title of her album was a very deliberate choice for Raj.

“Honeywine is actually an Ethiopian wine, very sweet, almost like a desert wine. You take a sip and think, "ok that’s nice", but then you want more and more. I want people to listen to my songs like that, to hear them over and over until the message in the songs sneaks up on them, just like the honeywine.”

Rajdulari may not be an easy name to pronounce, but it’s worth the effort. Some Grammy presenter will have a fun time with it one day. Take a taste of "Honeywine" – you’ll want more and more, I predict.~BBB

For more info on Rajdulari Barnes visit: www.rajdulari.com - The Big, Bold, Beautiful Blog

No surprise that I am so in love with music, but after discovering this song via Twitter, I love the message of it! Go Rajdulari! Empower these women to embrace who they are! - TheCurl XL

"A journey to the Grammys doesn’t always begin with a lot of cash and an entourage. Sometimes it begins simply with a huge talent, a lot of perseverance, and a dream...."-Dee Thompson - The Crab Chronicles

"A journey to the Grammys doesn’t always begin with a lot of cash and an entourage. Sometimes it begins simply with a huge talent, a lot of perseverance, and a dream...."-Dee Thompson - The Crab Chronicles

"Rajdulari’s video for her song HoneyWine was recently released and has been very well received. Featuring the talented and fine artist Terrell Carter, the video opens with him discovering Rajdulari in her natural state – no makeup, guard down and you can see the adoration in his eyes when he approaches her. The video tells a love story of unconditional love, mutual support, understanding, joy and powerful sensuality – this is how love – real life – is supposed to be, isn’t it?" - Harlem Trends

"...Among the redundancy of radio station playlists and studio produced artists comes a sound that speaks to your soul and awakens your ears..." - POSE Magazine- Renee Jones (Editor-at-large)

"In-station, on wax, and in living color, Rajdulari delivers jazz styling reminiscent of Patti Austin and Phoebe Snow....." - TheophaniStyle

"If you enjoy jazz and live bands, you can put this CD in, light the fireplace, grab a glass of wine and relax either by yourself or with that special someone! It makes you feel like you watching and listening to her live in a jazz club....." - DivaInEveryCity Blog

"If you enjoy jazz and live bands, you can put this CD in, light the fireplace, grab a glass of wine and relax either by yourself or with that special someone! It makes you feel like you watching and listening to her live in a jazz club....." - DivaInEveryCity Blog

"Rajdulari Barnes is a powerful and passionate jazz musician and if you appreciate the sultry, soulful sounds of jazz music you will love her music as well....." - Afro Elle Magazine

"Honey Wine is sophisticated and soulful. Swingin. Latin. Funky. Poetic.Vocalese. Sensual. The album opens with Into the Light, a magnetic awakening and introduction to Rajdulari and her masterful band...." - Harlem Trends

"Rajdulari is a passionate musician....Her journey is relatable to us all as we live and follow our dreams" Teslyn Butler - Plus Model Magazine

"Rajdulari is a passionate musician....Her journey is relatable to us all as we live and follow our dreams" Teslyn Butler - Plus Model Magazine

"I made my way back to the Berklee stage for artist Rajdulari’s peformance and was treated to an easy sound that melted in the ears mama’s fresh apple pie. You couldn’t help, but feel the vibe."

- fabempire.com

"I made my way back to the Berklee stage for artist Rajdulari’s peformance and was treated to an easy sound that melted in the ears mama’s fresh apple pie. You couldn’t help, but feel the vibe."

- fabempire.com

By Kade Krichko, Globe Correspondent

"The musician is an oak tree.

The seedling of a passion, she weathers the storms of professional uncertainty, growing stronger. She cycles through the seasons, experiencing the loves of a first collaboration, the pain of band members falling away, the vulnerability of exposing her work to the harsh ears of critics -- and finally, the frequent creative rebirths that start the circle over.




(Photo by Kevin Tyson)


But through all the tribulations of musical development, it’s the roots that have kept this musician – former Boston resident Rajdulari Barnes -- standing.

Barnes, lead singer of the jazz ensemble, The Rajdulari Project relocated to New York City after a dozen years immersed in Boston’s jazz scene. Now, her roots call her back: Less than a year after her move down the I-95 corridor, she is on the bill for Saturday’s Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival on Columbus Avenue.

"I think it’s time to bring it home,” said the former Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory student. “Boston is the birthplace of my career, so it’s important that I come back and show the people who supported me for so long what I’ve been working on.”

Barnes first gained notice as a performer at just 17, when a local jazz drummer asked her to try her vocal chops at the Cambridge-based Ryles Jazz Club.

“I was able to get up there and act it all out on stage,” Barnes said of the experience. “It was great to feel the arts in progress.”

The teenaged Barnes used her Ryles experience as a musical jumping-off point, enrolling in the prestigious Conservatory, with a focus on jazz performance, shortly after graduating from East Boston High School. She began expanding her reach in the Boston jazz scene, outside of the classroom, with performances at Regattabar, Scullers, the Emerson Majestic Center and several other well-known Boston venues.

“Jazz is a language,” she explained. “You’re trying to communicate with people, and I think, for me, that’s reflected through music.”

After graduating from the Conservatory, she headed down the street to Berklee to pursue vocal performance studies. It was there that she met Professor David Zoffer and continued to blossom.

“She had a great energy,” recalled Zoffer, a professor at both Berklee and the New England Conservatory. “She was so thorough that she’d sit with me for hours and go through [songs] taking them piece by piece.”

Barnes ended her studies in 2008, but stayed on with Zoffer as an assistant in his continuing studies program. Zoffer, a renowned jazz pianist himself, continued to help, even offering up a spot in his band, the David Zoffer Differential.

Zoffer said Barnes was more of a boost than he imagined.

“She taught me a lot as a writer, going over the poetry and lyrics of my songs,” he said. “She’d really take them to heart and help me out. She had a big impact on my music.”

Barnes moved to New York last year to increase her exposure and pursue new projects. There, she teamed up with fellow Berklee alums Sagit Zilberman (saxophone), Patriq Moody (trumpet), Giancarlo DeTrizio (drums), Enrico DeTrizio (keyboard) and Sam JC Lee (bass) to form The Rajdulari Project.

Playing a fusion of jazz, R&B and funk, the group expanded its repertoire and fan base around New York before getting the opportunity to play at the BeanTown Jazz Fest.

“It’s amazing because I’ve always been a huge fan [of the festival], but was always on the outside,” said Barnes. “Now we’re on the inside, and on the main stage.”

The BeanTown Jazz Festival is the brainchild of Darryl Settles, local entrepreneur and real estate developer. Noting the deep jazz history of Roxbury, the South End and surrounding area, Settles wanted to find a way to re-establish that tradition, using the abundance of local and regional talent.

After attending the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada, Settles decided Boston needed its own jazz event.

“We’re fortunate to have musicians here who have entertainment in their hearts,” said Settles. “What better way to showcase that -- and what more excitement can they get -- than performing in front of a large crowd that loves their music?”

Settles launched the festival in September 2000, with help from area businesses. Since then, the event -- which takes place along the stretch of Columbus Avenue between Mass. Ave. and Burke Street -- has swelled to over 80,000 attendees. In 2007, Berklee took over the festival, which offers a variety of musical acts and vendors.

The Rajdulari Project is among more than 20 ensembles that will perform across three stages on Saturday, starting at noon. The group performs at 1:05 p.m. on the Berklee Stage.
With her album on the way in early October, Barnes’ return has created a “definite buzz,” said Zoffer.

“She’s a great artist and someone to keep your eye out for,” he said. “She’s always hungry and always growing.”

Barnes may have grown a - Boston.com (Boston Globe Online)

By Kade Krichko, Globe Correspondent

"The musician is an oak tree.

The seedling of a passion, she weathers the storms of professional uncertainty, growing stronger. She cycles through the seasons, experiencing the loves of a first collaboration, the pain of band members falling away, the vulnerability of exposing her work to the harsh ears of critics -- and finally, the frequent creative rebirths that start the circle over.




(Photo by Kevin Tyson)


But through all the tribulations of musical development, it’s the roots that have kept this musician – former Boston resident Rajdulari Barnes -- standing.

Barnes, lead singer of the jazz ensemble, The Rajdulari Project relocated to New York City after a dozen years immersed in Boston’s jazz scene. Now, her roots call her back: Less than a year after her move down the I-95 corridor, she is on the bill for Saturday’s Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival on Columbus Avenue.

"I think it’s time to bring it home,” said the former Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory student. “Boston is the birthplace of my career, so it’s important that I come back and show the people who supported me for so long what I’ve been working on.”

Barnes first gained notice as a performer at just 17, when a local jazz drummer asked her to try her vocal chops at the Cambridge-based Ryles Jazz Club.

“I was able to get up there and act it all out on stage,” Barnes said of the experience. “It was great to feel the arts in progress.”

The teenaged Barnes used her Ryles experience as a musical jumping-off point, enrolling in the prestigious Conservatory, with a focus on jazz performance, shortly after graduating from East Boston High School. She began expanding her reach in the Boston jazz scene, outside of the classroom, with performances at Regattabar, Scullers, the Emerson Majestic Center and several other well-known Boston venues.

“Jazz is a language,” she explained. “You’re trying to communicate with people, and I think, for me, that’s reflected through music.”

After graduating from the Conservatory, she headed down the street to Berklee to pursue vocal performance studies. It was there that she met Professor David Zoffer and continued to blossom.

“She had a great energy,” recalled Zoffer, a professor at both Berklee and the New England Conservatory. “She was so thorough that she’d sit with me for hours and go through [songs] taking them piece by piece.”

Barnes ended her studies in 2008, but stayed on with Zoffer as an assistant in his continuing studies program. Zoffer, a renowned jazz pianist himself, continued to help, even offering up a spot in his band, the David Zoffer Differential.

Zoffer said Barnes was more of a boost than he imagined.

“She taught me a lot as a writer, going over the poetry and lyrics of my songs,” he said. “She’d really take them to heart and help me out. She had a big impact on my music.”

Barnes moved to New York last year to increase her exposure and pursue new projects. There, she teamed up with fellow Berklee alums Sagit Zilberman (saxophone), Patriq Moody (trumpet), Giancarlo DeTrizio (drums), Enrico DeTrizio (keyboard) and Sam JC Lee (bass) to form The Rajdulari Project.

Playing a fusion of jazz, R&B and funk, the group expanded its repertoire and fan base around New York before getting the opportunity to play at the BeanTown Jazz Fest.

“It’s amazing because I’ve always been a huge fan [of the festival], but was always on the outside,” said Barnes. “Now we’re on the inside, and on the main stage.”

The BeanTown Jazz Festival is the brainchild of Darryl Settles, local entrepreneur and real estate developer. Noting the deep jazz history of Roxbury, the South End and surrounding area, Settles wanted to find a way to re-establish that tradition, using the abundance of local and regional talent.

After attending the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada, Settles decided Boston needed its own jazz event.

“We’re fortunate to have musicians here who have entertainment in their hearts,” said Settles. “What better way to showcase that -- and what more excitement can they get -- than performing in front of a large crowd that loves their music?”

Settles launched the festival in September 2000, with help from area businesses. Since then, the event -- which takes place along the stretch of Columbus Avenue between Mass. Ave. and Burke Street -- has swelled to over 80,000 attendees. In 2007, Berklee took over the festival, which offers a variety of musical acts and vendors.

The Rajdulari Project is among more than 20 ensembles that will perform across three stages on Saturday, starting at noon. The group performs at 1:05 p.m. on the Berklee Stage.
With her album on the way in early October, Barnes’ return has created a “definite buzz,” said Zoffer.

“She’s a great artist and someone to keep your eye out for,” he said. “She’s always hungry and always growing.”

Barnes may have grown a - Boston.com (Boston Globe Online)

"I have booked Rajdulari Music for several events over the years and every time I am utterly impressed.  The quality of the music is phenomenal- only overshadowed by their high professionalism.  My audience always leaves wanting more." Kristen Porter, Boston Event Producer, Dyke Night Productions - Kristen Porter-Boston Event Producer

"I have booked Rajdulari Music for several events over the years and every time I am utterly impressed.  The quality of the music is phenomenal- only overshadowed by their high professionalism.  My audience always leaves wanting more." Kristen Porter, Boston Event Producer, Dyke Night Productions - Kristen Porter-Boston Event Producer

"I have had the pleasure of working with Rajdulari for two events and seeing 2 live performances as a guest. Not only is she a superb vocalist, her professionalism as an entertainer is unparalled and is always a pleasure to work with her.  You really can't go wrong with the Rajdulari experience!!!". - Maleka Diggs-Lady M Events

“Classy  sassy, and jazzy!!!  The Rajdulari Jazz Project, featuring lead singer Rajdulari, is all that and more!!!!  An understanding of the standards with her own spin makes Rajdulari one to watch!’' - Alison-Billie's Black (Harlem)