Last night I performed my last public big show for 2013. I have a few private smaller shows and one small gig (open to public); but as far as selling tickets, doing promotions, having a full 4 piece band, etc nothing further is planned until 2014. The insanity of preparing for a show often makes it hard to sit still "in the moment"...but the pure joy and magic of performing pushes you to want to stay in the place where all you have IS the moment. During last night's show, I performed new covers that I rearranged into new styles/vibes. I wanted to explore some songs that I've always loved, but never performed. I'm still growing as a songwriter and while I have new original material in the works, its not ready for the public; so, I have to reach into the box of songs that already exist. Thankfully, I loooove music and so its very easy for me to find material to rearrange. However, doing a rock rearrangement, or putting a lil' hip hop twist or a reggae sway aren't spaces I usually go. The jazz space is my comfort zone and for this last show I wanted to leave my comfort zone and try something new.
How did it all turn out?...AMAZING! Now, don't get me wrong, every performance/show has it's glitches, missed notes, forgotten lyrics and simply things that could be better...but, that is normal. That is expected. That is what it is. The amazing part is that the energy was alive, the audience was engaged and participated, and I ENJOYED the moment. Enjoying the moment is huge when you perform. If you're not enjoying yourself it can feel miserable being in front of a ton of people feeling like you're doing some type of masquerade. When you can truly show up, for me it is much like flying. Its probably the closest I will get to feeling "high" and I will take it any day.
Which brings me to this notion of "rocking"....I did my first rock rearrangement of a song and whoa....now I get why rock is such a major part of the music industry in many ways. I felt so liberated, so free, so inspired and capable. This is why I love that we now have this movement called "Black Girls Rock" (BGR). It is not about "rocking" out to rock music or we too can sing rock music...its about our liberation to be whomever we want to be. Its about feeling empowered and inspired to climb whatever wall we want to climb. Its about our greater contribution to society and how without our input, there would be a major missing link. Its about our history as black women who were enslaved, raped, murdered, abused and many other hideous acts that have left many of us in this sisterhood riddled with fear and pain; when we grab our power back and rise despite so many obstacles that say "no you want", we are able to say "yes we will." WE ROCK!!
I've always supported the BGR movement and felt as though I belong, but last night provided another insight. I not only belong, I AM Black Girls Rock. I have fears, I have doubts, but I also have insurmountable faith as well as a strong zeal to share this platform with my sister friends in whichever way that I can.
You are Black Girls Rock...its simply a matter of embracing, nurturing, and loving "her" (a.k.a. YOU). Don't delay; she's waiting...
Love & light,
Kenya
How did it all turn out?...AMAZING! Now, don't get me wrong, every performance/show has it's glitches, missed notes, forgotten lyrics and simply things that could be better...but, that is normal. That is expected. That is what it is. The amazing part is that the energy was alive, the audience was engaged and participated, and I ENJOYED the moment. Enjoying the moment is huge when you perform. If you're not enjoying yourself it can feel miserable being in front of a ton of people feeling like you're doing some type of masquerade. When you can truly show up, for me it is much like flying. Its probably the closest I will get to feeling "high" and I will take it any day.
Which brings me to this notion of "rocking"....I did my first rock rearrangement of a song and whoa....now I get why rock is such a major part of the music industry in many ways. I felt so liberated, so free, so inspired and capable. This is why I love that we now have this movement called "Black Girls Rock" (BGR). It is not about "rocking" out to rock music or we too can sing rock music...its about our liberation to be whomever we want to be. Its about feeling empowered and inspired to climb whatever wall we want to climb. Its about our greater contribution to society and how without our input, there would be a major missing link. Its about our history as black women who were enslaved, raped, murdered, abused and many other hideous acts that have left many of us in this sisterhood riddled with fear and pain; when we grab our power back and rise despite so many obstacles that say "no you want", we are able to say "yes we will." WE ROCK!!
I've always supported the BGR movement and felt as though I belong, but last night provided another insight. I not only belong, I AM Black Girls Rock. I have fears, I have doubts, but I also have insurmountable faith as well as a strong zeal to share this platform with my sister friends in whichever way that I can.
You are Black Girls Rock...its simply a matter of embracing, nurturing, and loving "her" (a.k.a. YOU). Don't delay; she's waiting...
Love & light,
Kenya