Spotlight Conversations

I had the pleasure of having an enjoyable conversation with Kavita Shah, an award-winning vocalist, composer, researcher, and educator who makes work in deep engagement with the jazz tradition, while also addressing and advancing its global sensibilities. A lifelong New Yorker of Indian origin hailed for possessing an “amazing dexterity for musical languages.

I had the chance to speak with Bethlehem Roberson a multi-talented singer, poetess and "Vocussionist." If you've never heard the term Vocussionist, Bethlehem will break it down for us. She's truly an amazing artist and we're so glad that she had the time to speak with us.

"Lizeth Dunn (Aka Lgdpoet) was born on April 27, 1979 in Guayaquil, Ecuador to her Ecuadorian parents who immigrated to the United State when she was the tender age of two. She is the eighth of eleven children and has a twin sister. She grew up in an environment where abuse echoed in her home. Yet she found ways to cherish the good moments in her youth. She discovered her love for poetry twenty-five years after her first heartbreak. Lizeth continued to write in silence keeping her stories close to her heart. After the end of a long-term relationship and the passing of her mother in 2019, she build the courage to share and recite, what she calls vulnerable poetry, with people who would listen. Lizeth is now working on her first poetry book, “Escaping The Echoes Of Myself…” to be released, independently, by the end of 2023."

What a wonderful conversation I had with Monet, whose musical repertoire is diverse with influences drawn from jazz, soul, latin, classical, folk, house and funk. Fundamentally, however, her sound is purely rooted in organic soul. The influences are a glorious amalgamation of Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell, Bob Marley, Sade and Hubert Laws. Surrounded by multiple genres of music by both parents - her mother a doo-wop singer and her father a manager of jazz and Latin artists. Monet's - musical roots run deep. A little known fact is that she was accepted to the prestigious Cornell University at the tender age of 14 on scholarship due to her advanced musical proficiency in classical flute. Monet also plays guitar, oboe , piccolo and piano. One would be remiss not to mention Monet’s various film credits including acting and directing. This is a resume full of aesthetic discovery.

Linda Sikhakhane is a South African born saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was born in Umlazi Township near Durban where his love for music was triggered at an early age. In keeping with the tradition of Spotlight Conversations, we had a very laid back, informative conversation that I hope you will enjoy.

I had the pleasure of welcoming poetess L.N. Mallory aka Poeticc Serenityy as a guest on Spotlight Conversations. She's the author of Tears of a Butterflyy Poetry Collection. Mallory enjoys expressing her thoughts and feelings through words. Her passion for writing came about after the passing of her mother in 2018. Mallory needed a way to release her emotions. True tears escaped on paper and created her poetic words. After a year of writing Mallory decided to write her first poetry book, Tears of a Butterflyy. This is only the beginning of her journey as a poet and writer. Mallory's future endeavors includes creating a children's book series and audio recordings of poetry. This Butterflyy is ready fly, be ready to catch her.

Author, Educator, Visionary, Illustrator, Drummer and Creative Consultant KIMPEDRO stopped by the SOJP Studio for a rousing conversation about his artistic pursuits, the arts and community involvement.

Aziza Miller knows New York. It's her home. The pulse and the energy of the city manifests in her fusion of funk, jazz, soul, Latin, and spoken word. New York also knows Aziza. Some of the city's most prestigious venues have welcomed her to standing room-only crowds. Whether headlining at Joe’s Pub, The Blue Note, Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar, The Metropolitan Room, Brooklyn Academy of Music's BAM Café, or any number of other celebrated haunts, Aziza spellbinds audiences with her original compositions and peerless musicianship. And it's not just New Yorkers who thrill to Aziza's soulful yet sophisticated melodies, it's a loyal audience that spans the globe and crosses every generation.

Joining me in this Spotlight Conversation all the way from Copenhagen, Denmark Champian Fulton is considered one of the most gifted, pure Jazz musicians of her generation. She grew up with music in the home; her mother and father (Jazz trumpeter and educator Stephen Fulton) recognized her fascination with music at an early age. The presence of her father’s musician friends, including Clark Terry and Major Holley, inspired her focus on Jazz. ENJOY!

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Dee Dee McNeil's first published poetry was in the early 60's. She became a part of the legendary Motown Record Company on West Grand Blvd as a Contract Songwriter, (singing and playing piano)and is still receiving royalty money for tunes she penned on The Four Tops, Edwin Starr, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, David Ruffin, Kiki Dee and more. Later, she had hit records on Bob Marley's wife Rita (The Beauty of Gods Plan) and a big seller on Nancy Wilson, (There'll Always Be Forever). In 1970 she relocated to the Los Angeles area. In 1971 she recorded her original songs and poetry with the Watts Prophets group