Lorelle Howard Interview: Emerging Artist Discuss Debut EP 'Se7en Phases: Moonscape'

 

Emerging singer/songwriter, LORELLE HOWARD, has spent the last two years preparing a three part, experimental album based on her love of the number 7 and her fascination with the moon. Reconnecting with multi-platinum French producer, Blastar (Pusha T, Tyga, Dinos) in 2017, they began working on the independent project and finished recording the final songs in Paris. The first part, SE7EN PHASES: Moonscape, features a unique blend of genres and includes a track for each type of listener. Each song lures you in and then builds, leaving you inspired to hear more. More importantly each track has a message and discusses relatable themes. Written and recorded in Montreal and Paris, Moonscape is available across all platforms and her latest visual for her single, “Black Sheep” can be found on YouTube. If you happen to be in London, you may catch Lorelle singing one of her originals at various open mics.

 

'Se7en Phases: Moonscape' is available on all digital streaming music services

 



TERRANCE: First off, congratulations on the release of your debut EP Se7en Phases: Moonscape. What has the feedback been like thus far?

LORELLE HOWARD: Thank you so much. So far I've had some pretty good feedback. I'm currently in London and I've met some incredibly talented people who have been super supportive. It's been just over 2 weeks though, so we will be pushing Moonscape for a bit.

TERRANCE: How would you describe the creative process behind this project?

LORELLE HOWARD: Moonscape is just one piece of who I am. With this part, we wanted to actually explore sounds that I normally didn't use. My first single, “Shadows”, was an original I wrote and played acoustically and my producer elevated it to give it a more current sound, but it was super R&B. We wanted to push my capabilities with this Moonscape and it really worked. We discussed concepts and sounds and were led by that. Every single track has a little story behind it and that helped us to remain really creative. We also decided to do a 3 part project because we understood that there was no way to portray our artistry over 7 tracks. So Moonscape is just a glimpse. Also, each part features a song that is "other"...one that is not like the others. In this case, “The Moon” is the track that is different than the rest. It's simply an expression through sound. The other 2 parts will feature the same thing. It's truly an experimental project.

 

TERRANCE: Talk about the story behind your single “Black Sheep”.

LORELLE HOWARD: “Black Sheep” is a really personal song. With Blastar, my producer, we had many conversations about my sound and his music and I expressed feelings of self-doubt and feeling like I wasn't making popular music. We both have so many stories about this exact feeling and we wanted to create a song about it. Sort of how other people can put you down. It's this idea that as an artist you should be as creative as possible, but don't be too "other". Don't go too far or else it won't be understood. So it's a song about trying to find my voice as an artist and sort of questioning what I'm doing because I think everyone questions what they are doing at some point. But at the end of the day, although I'm saying I may feel like a black sheep sometimes, the message is to keep working and fighting for what you believe in. No matter what.
 

 

TERRANCE: What was the filming process and experience like behind the visual?

LORELLE HOWARD: I love this visual because it was really a last minute decision. We wanted to capture something moody and dark and one day my producer said let's walk around Paris and film. So it's 2 half days of footage spliced together. It was raining at one point, but it added to the overall vibe. We had other ideas too, but this just happened to work. We wanted to be literal. Like I'm a black sheep so I'm alone. Trying to find my way. And that's what the clip is. Super moody, dark and me trying to find my path.

TERRANCE: Is there a particular song on the EP that was harder to record than others?

LORELLE HOWARD: I'm like a speed recorder normally, but I was sick when I finished recording “Landmine” actually. This is always difficult. When you feel your voice wanting to give out, but you already paid for the session so you have to make it work. “Ascent” was also interesting as I only sang twice all the way through and we chose the best of each take. It's an emotional song so I had to control the urge to cry during that one.

 

TERRANCE: What role does Brooklyn play in your music?

LORELLE HOWARD: Brooklyn is where I spent majority of my adult life. I have seen so many things. I've watched my neighborhood change completely. I've worked in various places throughout Brooklyn. Majority of my friends are in New York and so songs like “No Change”, which is about staying loyal to the crew you have already, reminds me of Brooklyn and the people I love there.

 

TERRANCE: Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with in the near future?

LORELLE HOWARD: Of course. As an independent artist, there are literally a ton of independents I would love to work with. In terms of mainstream, I would say Janelle Monae would be first. The life in her voice is incredible. Brandy is someone who I would just like to sit in a room with and listen to her sing. I've dreamed of working with her. Next I would say Jaden Smith and Childish Gambino. I think they are both super talented and intelligent.

 

Independents would be KO-lition and Chris Brown, who actually happen to be friends of mine. Super talented brothers who are making waves right now. There are also some incredible artists I've met while in London: Geo, SOA, Laura Roy and Marc TC. Great talent. Go look them up. You won't be disappointed.

 

TERRANCE: Outside of music, what inspires you?

 

LORELLE HOWARD: I can be inspired by anything actually. Sometimes it's one conversation with my mom. Sometimes watching the people around me whom I love grinding. Nature. I'm inspired when I hear the laughter of a child. Honestly, we have a lot to be inspired by. 

 

TERRANCE: Can we expect to see you hit the road anytime soon?

 

LORELLE HOWARD: My main plan is to do some smaller shows in NY and Montreal, which will hopefully turn into a tour. I also am working on the 2nd part of Se7en Phases, which will be out pretty soon. So we will see as I still have recording to do.

 

TERRANCE: In the next five years, where do you see yourself as an artist?

LORELLE HOWARD: Honestly, every day I'm evolving. My life is always changing; the world is changing. I always try to tell stories that reflect my present and I hope people relate. So I hope in 5 years, I'm doing something bigger that will affect change within people. My goal is always to inspire so as long as I stay true to that, I'm good.

 

TERRANCE: If you could create the ultimate throwback R&B playlist, what songs would you feature?

 

LORELLE HOWARD: Aaliyah for sure. Anything Aaliyah.

Mary J. Blige - Real Love

Brandy - I Wanna Be Down

Brownstone - If You Love Me

Blackstreet - No Diggity

Ginuwine - Pony

Total - Can't You Se

TLC - What About Your Friends

Soul For Real - Candy Rain

112 - Only You

Faith Evans - Love Like This

Mya - It's All About Me

SWV - I'm So Into You

 

Add any Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Jodeci, Xscape, Tony Toni Tone, 702, Next and we're good.

 

This list can go on forever....

 

TERRANCE: Lastly, what do you hope listeners take away from the Se7en Phases: Moonscape experience?

LORELLE HOWARD: I hope people find a song that resonates within them and their lives. Each track is so different, but each song has a message if you listen. I also hope people love the music. A lot of work went into choosing each song. I want people to know that this is just a taste though!

 

Follow Lorelle Howard:

www.lorellehoward.com

Instagram @lorellehoward, Facebook @LorelleHoward

Twitter @lorellehoward, SoundCloud @lorellehoward

 





New R&B sensation Lorelle Howard delivers debut EP, ''SE7EN PHASES: Moonscape"

LORELLE HOWARD, an alternative R&B singer-songwriter from Brooklyn is making waves in the industry with her blending of multiple genres and use of harmony. Her varied sound is clear in her newly released debut EP, SE7EN PHASES: Moonscape, which features a track for every type of listener.

The 7 track EP was produced entirely by multi-platinum French producer, Blastar (Pusha T, Tyga) and was recorded in Montreal and Paris.

The lead single and video "Black Sheep" was shot in 2 days throughout Paris.

SEE THE "BLACK SHEEP" VIDEO BELOW:

SE7EN PHASES: Moonscape is available on all digital music streaming platforms and be sure to look out for our upcoming exclusive interview with Lorelle Howard.

Interview: Von B. & DL Wilson Discuss Debut Album ‘Von B. & DL Wilson Presents’

Indie R&B/Soul Singers, Songwriters and Recording Artists in their own right, Von B. & DL Wilson joined forces to create the duo Von B. & DL Wilson. Raised in South Bend, In. Both members were part of a High School R&B singing group that made a name for themselves on the local scene. From talent show victories, local news interviews and TV show performances, they were more than just average high school students. Major R&B recording artists such as the DUO/Group MEN AT LARGE, Lil JOE (of The Rude Boys) and the late, great Gerald Levert were a few artists that offered a positive influence, great advice and the opportunity to perform. Earlier in the year they released their debut single "She's Unbelievable" and followed it up with the current single "Mr. DJ Stole My Girl". I caught up with the duo to discuss their debut album Von B. And DL Wilson Presents, their Formation, Sound, Musical Influences, Recording Process, Independence as Artists and much more...

TERRANCE: First, can you tell us how and when Von B. & DL Wilson formed and what the journey from then to now has been like?

VON B: We officially became a DUO in 2016 and the journey has been life-like. By that we mean, anyone can set a goal but not everyone is able to overcome adversity and still accomplish it! We have always been on the same page with good communication, a strong brotherhood, understanding, being teammates etc. but we both overcame a lot outside of the Duo in order be at this very moment! We hope the listeners can feel the ‘vibe’ our music creates.

TERRANCE: When did you both discover your love of music and wanted to be musical artists?

DL WILSON: Early! (laughs)…we grew up in houses that played all the Motown Urban/R&B/Soul greats, Jazz and Gospel music and artists! We took it seriously when we became members of a 5-man high school singing group that became popular in our hometown. Starting with practice, performances at local events, interviewed on multiple news stations, studio recording and being special guests on a Saturday morning kid’s television show, we became serious in developing our craft.

TERRANCE: How would you describe your sound?

VON B: Our sound is like a “Modern day Throwback”, “Real good, feel good music” if you will. We want to represent where we come from. The kind of solid music that felt good but at the same time, real, and the kind of music that tells a story from our point of view! The Motown sound stood out because of this!

TERRANCE: Who were some musical influences growing up and who’s influencing you right now?

DL WILSON: We can go all day with this list…(laughs). Growing up listening to Otis Redding, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, The ENCOS, James Ingram, George Benson, LTD, Con Funk Shun, Earth, Wind and Fire! Gospel legends like the late Daryl Coley, John P. Kee., Mississippi Mass Choir, The Clark Sisters, BEBE & CECE Winans, and Commissioned just to name a few. In our opinion, artists that are making good music currently are R&B artists like MAJOR., Tank, Raheem DeVaughn, India.Arie, Jill Scott, Bruno Mars, PJ Morton, Luke James, Chris Brown, Joe, D’Angelo and The Vanguard etc…but we noticed a gap between current R&B solo artists and R&B groups. Groups bringing that vocal arrangement and harmony seem to be outdated in mainstream and that is where we come in!

TERRANCE: Earlier in the year, you guys released your debut single “She’s Unbelievable” as a duo. What inspired that song?

VON B: Yes, “She’s Unbelievable” is still unbelievable! We created this song to show love and respect to our women Worldwide! A ‘Woman’s Anthem’ if you will. It is about a woman and/or women who have ‘heard it all before’. We believe most women have heard all the ‘lines’ a man can throw her until it all sounds the same. This song acknowledges that fact but the beauty that we describe is more than just ‘hips, lips and fingertips’, it is the total package inside and out! We started out asking men ‘have they ever seen a woman, with eyes like an angel’. The eyes are ‘the window to the soul’ they say and sometimes body parts are all that seen. This society often times define beauty as ‘just skin deep’ but we believe beauty comes from within first and true beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors or creeds! To all the ‘She’s Unbelievable’ women out there, this is your song! Let’s turn up!

TERRANCE: You guys followed it up with “Mr. DJ Stole My Girl”. Why did you think that song was the right choice?

DL WILSON: Well, “Mr. DJ Stole My Girl” released as a one, two punch for promoting our sound, style and album! Just think of it as ‘Thunder and Lighting’! Just as “She’s Unbelievable” displayed our creativity,” Mr. DJ Stole My Girl” added a different vocal perspective, arrangement and an actual plot to the story lines, including a ‘sing/rap style’ that is different from what we usually do. We played off each other vocals and styles but were together as one at the same time! We went into the writing, arrangement and recording of this song, with no fear! Therefore, “She’s Unbelievable” and “Mr. DJ Stole My Girl” is our version of a ‘double single’ release to let the music listener know that we are not going to be a one hit wonder!

TERRANCE: Can you tell us about the creative process for your album Von B. & DL Wilson Presents…

VON B: The album Von B. and DL Wilson Presents is simply two passionate artists coming together to create one sound! Therefore, we are making our presentation to music lovers who have wondered where all the ‘real good, feel good’ music has gone. Some call our sound a ‘Modern Day Throwback’, ‘Refreshing’, ‘Uniquely tasteful’! Our album is one that young, mid-age and mature audiences can enjoy, in the same room, at the same time! To add, our process consisted of choosing the right type of production sound, writing material that not only is relevant but catchy! Easy to learn our lyrics and sing along. There is a story to every song recorded and our songs sound like a normal ‘conversation’. So in essence, our process is to create compositions that listeners will not forget.

TERRANCE: Debut albums are always first impressions. Is there anything in particular you hope listeners take away from their experience with this album?

DL WILSON: This is almost a continuation from the previous response. We hope the experience our album bring to our listeners is memorable. We hope that our sound reminds people that tasteful, relevant, soulful, good music still exists and can come from even indie artists! We hope that our fan base continue to grow and support us because we are just getting started, meaning that we have a lot of music, styles and flavor still within us to share Worldwide! We hope that we get the attention that our work and creativity deserves. We know not everything is for everyone but we hope that the people that do like what we are presenting continue to let others know about us. Lastly, to tell others that we were not afraid to be ourselves in do the music that is in our hearts.

TERRANCE: Are there any personal favorites on the album that stand out or speak to your current state of mind?

DL WILSON: Honestly, all the songs on the album speak to our current state of mind because of the hard work put into each one. Our goal was to produce an album full of singles and we believe we accomplished our goal.

TERRANCE: What are the most rewarding and toughest parts about being independent artists?

VON B: On the rewarding side, we would say the freedom to use our gifts as freely as we want. It is a sense of pride knowing that we selected each track for the mood of the album. We wrote to every song except the single “Girlfriend” because the featured artist wrote his own part of the song and produced it. We arranged all of our vocals, vocal harmonies, bridges and vocal key modulations. So again, the freedom to create our album exactly how we wanted to was very rewarding. The toughest part of being an independent artist is naturally the financial aspect, mainstream radio rotation and overall marketing and promotion compared to the counter-part Major Recording artists. The differences are obvious but in today’s advancing world of internet, apps and technology, more artists that are independent are using technology to bring the gap between Major and Indie artists a little closer.

TERRANCE: Can we expect any live dates or tour in the near future?

DL WILSON: Live performances and tours will be at a TBA type of situation. However, we can say to our fans and music lovers, contact your local stations, internet stations and DJ’s and request Von B. And DL Wilson music! Download and stream our music! Supply and demand is how the fans can see us perform in their town faster.

TERRANCE:  Any final words you would like to share with your fans, followers and the readers?

VON B: First, we like to thank RNBJunkie for not only supporting our first single ‘She’s Unbelievable’ but has continued support by offering us this interview. We really appreciate you. It is very important for fans get to know the artists they are listening to and like. To the triple F’s…our fans, followers, family and friends, we really appreciate you as well! Keep our music in rotation and tell someone who has never heard of us about our music. This album represents our heart, soul and passion about music. We feel very blessed to represent the same genres of music that we grew up listening to ourselves! In other words, we are giving back to an art form that we saw fading and I hope our fans can see that, which makes this project extra special. Continue to support the Urban/R&B/Soul Duo Von B. and DL Wilson.     

  

***BONUS INFO ABOUT VON B. & DL WILSON***

VON B. & DL WILSON: We both individually had uncle’s first name Clarence in a five member, 1960’s R&B/Soul singing group named The ENCOS. The ENCOS started out, just as Von B and DL Wilson’s 5 member group did, local in South Bend, In. Their uncle’s group went on to become one of the HOTTEST acts in the Midwest area! The ENCOS traveled the UK as well performing overseas and sharing the stage with the legendary group and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers THE TEMPTATIONS and The God-Father of Soul the late, great JAMES BROWN. In addition, they also performed with JR. WALKER AND THE ALL-STARS (another South Bend, In. native band) that went all the way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1965 with their hit ‘Shotgun’ written by Jr. Walker and produced by Mr. Berry Gordy former CEO of MOTOWN Records! Therefore, it seem like Von B. and DL Wilson has it in their DNA to press towards their musical goals, with a passion! We write our own lyrics arrange our own lead and background vocals and we are self-published. Our history goes back ‘like a good perm’ (laughs)… Our creativity, motivation and love for music is what kept our fire a blaze all these years! We want to be a household name to our Urban/R&B/Soul music genre. We hope that our fan base continue to grow with support and that the powers that be allow ‘good music’ to be a priority again instead of what is just ‘popular’. Von B. and DL Wilson will be ready regardless!

Follow Von B. & DL Wilson:

http://artistecard.com/vonbanddlwilson

Instagram @vonbanddlwilsonmusic

Twitter @vonbanddlwilson

MAJOR. Announces Debut Album ‘Even More’ + Tracklisting

Rising R&B/Soul crooner MAJOR. has announced his highly anticipated debut album Even More via BOE GLOBAL/EMPIRE. The 10-song set which features his current single, “Better With You In It” will be released on September 7.

On the album, MAJOR. Adds:

"Even More is my official statement to the world that hope in love, culture, and our future is not lost. Like my heroes Michael Jackson, MLK, & Stevie Wonder, I’ve accepted the charge to bring fearless love through every lyric, melody, & moment. The world is hurting. Even More is the solution."

See the Even More tracklist below:

1 Better With You in It

2 Love Me Ole feat. Kris Kasanova

3 Love Crazy feat. Andre Troutman

4 Shine Bright

5 New Day

6 I’ll Keep My Faith

7 Honest

8 Even More

9 Street Lights

10 Why I Love You

Queen Naija Releases Self-titled Debut EP

 

Detroit-based R&B singer/YouTube personality Queen Naija delivers her self-titled debut EP via Capitol Records.

 

The 5-track project features her Billboard breakout hit, “Medicine” and follow-up smash, “Karma” which pushed her to Billboard’s Emerging No. 1 Artist.

 

 

Queen Naija recruited No ID (Jay-Z, Kanye West) for the track, “Bad Boy”.



New Music: VanJess - ‘Control Me’

Increasing the anticipation for their debut album tomorrow, Silk Canvas, VanJess has released another single "Control Me" off of the project. "Control Me" a sultry bop, exposes another side of the sisters. Jess's deep voice perfectly compliments Ivana's sweet tone to make this track perfectly feel good.

The visuals to compliment the track will be released this month and it stars dancer Nicholas “Slick” Stewart—who just graced the cover of Jay-Z and Beyonce’s Everything Is Love cover art.

Their first single “Addicted” has all the makings of a summer anthem. Within a few months, it has already eclipsed 1.1 million Spotify streams and counting.

Stay tuned for the video’s premiere and more soon!

Jamar Jones Interview: Patti LaBelle’s signee discuss Debut Album “Fatherless Child”, Touring with Jill Scott & More!

Award-winning Composer, Producer & Pianist, Jamar Jones, who hails from Philadelphia has collaborated alongside some of the great superstar artists in the industry from Usher, Boyz II Men, Patti LaBelle, Robin Thicke, Angie Stone, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott to Vickie Winans, Bishop T.D. Jakes to name a few. More recently he received the 2018 ASCAP Award for Top Cable Television Series for The New Edition Story, serving as the underscore composer. I caught up with Jones for an exclusive interview to discuss his debut album, Fatherless Child, getting signed to Patti LaBelle’s imprint label GPE, touring with Jill Scott on her Live In the Moment Tour and much more...

HEAR “SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS” FEATURING R&B VET GLENN LEWIS BELOW:

TERRANCE: How did growing up in Philly shape you to who you are today as a musician?

JAMAR JONES: Philadelphia has an incredible music heritage, music legacy. Philadelphia is known for soul music and the fact that I grew up in a place with that kind of music heritage and legacy, that probably had a direct impact on everyone from the music of Gamble & Huff to the Gospel music and Jazz and so on and so forth. We do a little bit of everything there and so it definitely intrigued me I guess into being a well-rounded musician with a world view, but at the same time I’ve always had this thing I call “The Philly Edge”.

TERRANCE: After establishing yourself as a composer and producer for other artists for the past two decades, how does it feel having your own official project, Fatherless Child, out there?

JAMAR JONES: It’s an intense, exciting moment for me personally. Sometimes when you play for other people as you just mentioned, you hide behind what they do, but for the long time I wasn’t certain that my voice mattered and for me to now get to this point in my life when I become not just comfortable with my voice, the message and music that I have means something to people. It was meant to be made, so the only way I can really explain the feeling is it’s intense, but it’s an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I have at the moment and for those who have walked the journey with me and all of those that are going to join on this journey as I go forward.

TERRANCE: The project is on Ms. Patti LaBelle’s imprint label GPE Records. Can you share how you both linked up initially?

JAMAR JONES: Sure. Years ago, maybe about 15 years ago at this point I was asked to do a string arrangement for Patti LaBelle on a song for an album that she was preparing and not only that, but I was able to develop a relationship with her management team at the time and the rest is history. I’ve worked with her in several different venues over the years up to her most recent musical works which was producing Bel Hommage, her Jazz album that came out in 2017. That was her first record release in ten years, so I had that privilege and then we did a Christmas album and now we have this album and then we have some new music that we’re about to start working on too as well. Again, I said about 15 years but it may have been longer because it feels like she’s always been a part of my life. She’s like the mother of Philadelphia.

TERRANCE: Talk about how you came up with the title and was there a theme built upon as you were creating this project?

JAMAR JONES: The title came out of a personal experience that I had where I was just searching for some answers and definition in life and for me as a black man, one of the things we often don’t do is, sometimes we don’t go to therapy or those types of things. I ended up going to therapy and it was in a therapy session where I was led to realize, I never really, really dealt with the underlying emotion that I had from losing my father. Essentially after successfully going through the counseling sessions I decided that I wanted to really not only just have expression to talk about the emotion but really to help others and Fatherless Child is where the title came from. It started off with my life story at the age of 3 years old and then it takes you through a musical biography for me that leads you to where I am now as a man. A Fatherless Child who has become a father in life.

TERRANCE: What did each artist featured on Fatherless Child bring to the project you appreciated?

JAMAR JONES: Great question. Okay, let me talk about my childhood friend Vivian Green. That’s my homegirl man. We actually kind of grew up together and I’m kind of giving you a little backstory on her. The first song I ever co-produced and co-wrote was “Dear God” by Boyz II Men and she also co-wrote that with me, so of course there’s relationship. Viv brings to the project an innocence and of course her amazing vocal skills. She does “Blackbird” originally by The Beatles. It’s a really important lyric to me. Because she really knows me, I’m not a singer, I’m a musician and she actually sing it as if I could sing. That’s exactly how I would sing it. That’s what she brought. Another singer Glenn Lewis brought the passion of the lyric that Montell Jordan wrote on “Searching for Answers”, but he delivered it somewhat like Stevie Wonder. That’s the only way I would like to classify it. I could’ve got Stevie Wonder to do the song and we probably would’ve been having a different discussion, but I got something just as equal to Stevie and again Glenn added passion as if it was me. He took on the same passion as I had about the song. Patti LaBelle brings to the project of course an innocence and what’s unique about the song that she sings which is “Promise” which is written by Tracy Chapman is it’s very opposite of what we’re used to from her. We’re used to her kind of coming in and knocking out people and kicking shoes off (laughs), but “Promise” is really a part of the story where Ms. Pat brings an emotion where only a woman of her maturity could bring to a project like that. One other singer that I featured on the project is Elgin Johnson. He’s a very good friend of mine and I did a Seal remake called “Touch” and Elgin again, amazing vocalist and just like all of the other singers, he translated vocally what I was just trying to tell in my heart, in my spirit and in my mind and soul and you’re probably going to hear more from him in the future as we work on more music. So they all brought the same thing without even directly knowing each other which made this project so incredible.

TERRANCE: If there’s one song on the album that resonates with your current state of mind, what would it be and why?

JAMAR JONES: There’s an instrumental piece called, “Beauty for Ashes” and at the current state of mind, it’s just that life can be filled with ashes, you know? But you gotta take a look at whatever beauty God has given you in spite of those ashes. For me, the piano was given to me so that’s the beauty amongst the ashes. I have an amazing wife who is in the military Sergeant Alicia Jones and she’s the beauty for the ashes. I love her. I’ve been blessed with three incredible kids. So for every negative experience that I’ve gone through that’s definitely my current state of mind. I’m trying to recognize all of the beauty like the fact I get to be talking to Terrance right now from RnB Junkie, that’s the “Beauty for Ashes”, you know what I mean? That’s my state of mind.

TERRANCE: You’re currently on the road with Jill Scott for her Live in the Moment tour. Talk about the role you play in the show.

JAMAR JONES: With Jill, I’m in her band which I’ve been on and off for probably the last 12 or 13 years or so. I play keys primarily but when we talk about the ‘Live In the Moment’ tour we actually have all been given a very specific position inside of what she’s trying to do musically. I think my position comes somewhere between providing minstrelsy and therapy from the keys, so every night at the end of the show there’s about a five to seven minute space where I get to take the audience on whatever so journey I so choose and whatever I’m feeling in the moment and that kind of prepares her and prepares us for “He Loves Me”. It’s been an incredible experience because I think in that moment in some way I provide some type of therapy for people and a release. The response has been overwhelming, so much so that I’ve had hundreds of people wanting to meet with me after the show. It’s been an incredible experience and moment.

TERRANCE: What do you hope listeners take away from the Fatherless Child experience?

JAMAR JONES: I hope that they take away an enlightenment. I hope that they take away understanding I guess the power and nature of emotional expression. I hope that they take away the fact that we need piano’s and not prison for our children. I hope that it leads to people recognizing that even though we might not all have the same experience, we all experience the same emotion and if you were in an emotional prison then there is hope. You can go somewhere and get help. Those are my main takeaways from this one.

TERRANCE: Any final words you would like to share with the readers about yourself or your music?

JAMAR JONES: Well, something that people should know is that I have an incredible interest in sharing with those that were like me that didn’t have. I teach Music at University of Texas at Arlington, so I’m like a College Professor and at the same time I grew up in Church, so I’m still heavily involved in Church. In terms of the music itself, when you listen to the music, please listen to it with an open mind. Every song on there at some point in time I’m going to talk about I guess what it means and where it came from and really kind of tell the story of the music even as it evolves and how we evolve and how we grow. I think Fatherless Child represents the fact there’s a child in all of us that’s yearning and seeking expression.  

Fatherless Child is available on all physical and digital platforms where music is purchased.

Follow Jamar Jones:

www.jamarjones.org

Instagram & Twitter @jonesmaestro

Facebook @Keys2Philly