The Fusion Band

The Florida Times-Union
January 8, 2003

Female saxophonist finds advantage in being 1-of-a-kind

By Mark Faulkner
Shorelines correspondent
Think of female jazz stars and visions of vocalists pop to mind. Performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone defined the role of a jazz vocalist and continue to inspire new generations of performers.
But female jazz instrumentalists don't have as many role models. Except for a few contemporary performers such as Candy Dulfer and Diana Krall, you'd have better luck spotting a tastefully clothed pop singer than hearing a new and noteworthy female jazz instrumentalist.
Allana Southerland is trying her hardest to change that. A tenor saxophone player, Southerland lives in the Intracoastal West area and is the only woman enrolled in the University of North Florida's jazz studies program. She admits being the only female was a challenge, but she's finessed it into an advantage.
"It was intimidating, at least at first, but then it began to be a plus," Southerland said. "I can't get mixed up with anybody else. It's challenging, but in the end it's come out pretty good, I guess."
Southerland soon will begin her junior year at UNF. She played saxophone while part of Landon Middle School's music program and chose to focus on clarinet during her high school years at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. When it came time for college, Southerland returned to the sax.
In addition to her performances with church groups and various UNF ensembles, Southerland leads Fusion, her own jazz/funk/R&B group of musicians she's met in the local scene. Fusion performs nightly from Tuesday through Jan. 17 at the Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. Southerland has fronted Fusion for nearly two years and enjoys her audiences' warm response.
"It's been overwhelming, actually," she said. "I can't believe how much support I get. It might not be exactly because I'm a great saxophone player, but probably because I'm a female saxophone player. Nevertheless, the response is tremendous. I get people coming up to me all the time saying, 'Oh my goodness, you've got to keep going' or 'Do this and do that and you'll get far.'"
Keyboardist Tim Dixon, drummer Kevin Hargraves and bassist/music director Lloyd Carter fill out Fusion's lineup. Carter said playing with a female band leader is a welcome change. He sees a lot of Kirk Whalum, Kenny G and other saxophonists Southerland models herself after in her playing.


Carter has worked as a professional musician for the past 20 years. He gives Southerland high marks for her professional demeanor and direct approach.
"She has come a really long way in a very, very short period of time," Carter said. "I suspect one day her name will be as synonymous as Kenny G's as far as playing the saxophone. She's focused on her instrument and is doing a great job. Her stage show is improving nightly."
When Southerland talks about performing in Jacksonville, she talks like the most grizzled veteran of the few clubs and restaurants that give jazz even an off-night chance. She understands her audience's need for tunes they know. That's why the group starts out with jazz and then moves into instrumental R&B and funk covers.
The formula works; Fusion already performs each Sunday night at Da Real Ting downtown, each Monday at the River City Brewing Co. on the Southbank and has performed at the Atlantic and Ocean Club in Jacksonville Beach.
Once Southerland completes her studies at UNF, she plans to go to graduate school, possibly at the University of Miami. Then she said she probably will move north to join a stronger jazz community, in hopes of spurring international tours.
She's matter-of-fact about landing a record contract. When that happens, Southerland said she still will pursue the blends of jazz and R&B that have worked so well in her hometown.
"I want people so see where I'm coming from, and I can bring the standards in, also," Southerland said. "Familiarity is the key. If people in the audience don't hear something familiar, they're not going to listen long. [My sound] is a mixture of jazz and R&B at the same time and some neo-soul. That's what I'm headed toward with my own sound."


This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/010803/nes_11402388.shtml.





- The Florida Times-Union

"This performer is one of the best in Jacksonville! Sultry, sexy, and did I mention saxy! You are going places!" - Rick Fulton

The Florida Times-Union
January 8, 2003

Female saxophonist finds advantage in being 1-of-a-kind

By Mark Faulkner
Shorelines correspondent
Think of female jazz stars and visions of vocalists pop to mind. Performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone defined the role of a jazz vocalist and continue to inspire new generations of performers.
But female jazz instrumentalists don't have as many role models. Except for a few contemporary performers such as Candy Dulfer and Diana Krall, you'd have better luck spotting a tastefully clothed pop singer than hearing a new and noteworthy female jazz instrumentalist.
Allana Southerland is trying her hardest to change that. A tenor saxophone player, Southerland lives in the Intracoastal West area and is the only woman enrolled in the University of North Florida's jazz studies program. She admits being the only female was a challenge, but she's finessed it into an advantage.
"It was intimidating, at least at first, but then it began to be a plus," Southerland said. "I can't get mixed up with anybody else. It's challenging, but in the end it's come out pretty good, I guess."
Southerland soon will begin her junior year at UNF. She played saxophone while part of Landon Middle School's music program and chose to focus on clarinet during her high school years at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. When it came time for college, Southerland returned to the sax.
In addition to her performances with church groups and various UNF ensembles, Southerland leads Fusion, her own jazz/funk/R&B group of musicians she's met in the local scene. Fusion performs nightly from Tuesday through Jan. 17 at the Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. Southerland has fronted Fusion for nearly two years and enjoys her audiences' warm response.
"It's been overwhelming, actually," she said. "I can't believe how much support I get. It might not be exactly because I'm a great saxophone player, but probably because I'm a female saxophone player. Nevertheless, the response is tremendous. I get people coming up to me all the time saying, 'Oh my goodness, you've got to keep going' or 'Do this and do that and you'll get far.'"
Keyboardist Tim Dixon, drummer Kevin Hargraves and bassist/music director Lloyd Carter fill out Fusion's lineup. Carter said playing with a female band leader is a welcome change. He sees a lot of Kirk Whalum, Kenny G and other saxophonists Southerland models herself after in her playing.


Carter has worked as a professional musician for the past 20 years. He gives Southerland high marks for her professional demeanor and direct approach.
"She has come a really long way in a very, very short period of time," Carter said. "I suspect one day her name will be as synonymous as Kenny G's as far as playing the saxophone. She's focused on her instrument and is doing a great job. Her stage show is improving nightly."
When Southerland talks about performing in Jacksonville, she talks like the most grizzled veteran of the few clubs and restaurants that give jazz even an off-night chance. She understands her audience's need for tunes they know. That's why the group starts out with jazz and then moves into instrumental R&B and funk covers.
The formula works; Fusion already performs each Sunday night at Da Real Ting downtown, each Monday at the River City Brewing Co. on the Southbank and has performed at the Atlantic and Ocean Club in Jacksonville Beach.
Once Southerland completes her studies at UNF, she plans to go to graduate school, possibly at the University of Miami. Then she said she probably will move north to join a stronger jazz community, in hopes of spurring international tours.
She's matter-of-fact about landing a record contract. When that happens, Southerland said she still will pursue the blends of jazz and R&B that have worked so well in her hometown.
"I want people so see where I'm coming from, and I can bring the standards in, also," Southerland said. "Familiarity is the key. If people in the audience don't hear something familiar, they're not going to listen long. [My sound] is a mixture of jazz and R&B at the same time and some neo-soul. That's what I'm headed toward with my own sound."


This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/010803/nes_11402388.shtml.





- The Florida Times-Union