My music making is a spiritual experience. Preparation for my performance practice includes grounding myself to the center of the earth, bringing up earth energy and balancing my energy field before making a sound. I am intentional with each sound that I make and I strive to bring goodness into the world with every note that I sing and every story that I tell. I tell these stories with many instruments: harmonium, violin, viola as well as traditional jazz instruments. While a deep classical and jazz education serve as my foundation, my musical identity is also informed by other important Black music: blues, r&b, Neo-soul, and hip-hop. I use the stage as a space to invite reflection and introspection of my audience. I compose works that address social issues and I find myself deeply influenced by the human condition. I am speaking directly to our world with each new composition. My piece, Never You Mind, a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement, speaks to the oppressed, reminding us that we are resilient and WE MATTER. The piece culminates with my reciting the names of Black men and women murdered by the police. When introducing the piece, I take the opportunity to encourage those with privilege to consider how their love and appreciation for Black Music and Black culture is reflected in their willingness to protect Black people. This work is what I was born to do.
