Wednesday, June 11, 2014

A Neo Soul Cabaret

The music I write and create with my beloved *collaborators* (past and present), has been called "R&B". Sometimes "Neo-Soul". Once in a while, "jazz".  And because I don't actually know what characteristics a song or musician must have to fit in either of these boxes, I tend to describe my music by what it's been called. The categorization of art can be frustrating at times, but generally, I feel that musicians have to compare their sounds to SOMETHING if we're asking strangers to listen to us, watch us, buy into us. Because not many people are going to open an unmarked box. 

Speaking of which, let me get to the point, and start talking to you about my FAVOURITE music box! The one marked "Neo Soul". In lies the words and sounds of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Angie Stone, Maxwell, Musiq, Eric Benet, India Arie, Floetry, Foreign Exchange, and the list goes ON. And on... 

This music. This MUSIC! These poetry sounds of blackness, and mystique. Sexy, sensual, melodic, hypnotic fusions of hip hop and jazz, mixed with R&B soul... my cup runneth over with its goodness. Before the Neo-Soul movement came on the scene (late-90s) I had been singing... but these particular artists made me want to SANG!

And I did. And I'm thankful for all the inspiration and motivation I was given by these artists to do so. 

This NEO SOUL CABARET is hopefully just the first of a SERIES of my dedication to the music that continues to "make me". 

You're invited:

@ a Neo Soul Cabaret
Saturday July 5th, 2014

The Flying Beaver
488 Parliament St, Toronto
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Purchase via: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/732853 or 416-347-6567

FREE DOWNLOAD of my album "This Moment" for all ADVANCE TICKET buyers!