The Working Artist Project

Shirazette schools us in the value of ascending no matter how treacherous the obstacles. She highlights the importance of tenacity, focus, and vision. She tells us stories of men and women second guessing her ability solely based on her sex and how she manages to crush their ignorance with badassery! We also, listen to selections from her most recent album and talk about what she has on the horizon. I have a feeling you're going to love this episode!

Connect with Shirazette here https://www.shirazettetinnin.com

twitter account @TinninL

IG: Shirazette “She Beats” Tinnin

Shirazette's album is on Spotify and it is called Humility: Purity of My Soul

Connect with Darrian here

https://www.DarrianDouglas.com

Become a patron here

https://www.patreon.com/DarrianDouglas

Drummer, educator, clinician, author and health coach, Shirazette Tinnin was born and raised in North Carolina. Her earlier influences gospel musical would eventually expand into jazz, soul, rock, and music from many parts of the African diaspora.

A graduate of Appalachian State University, Shirazette studied with Todd Right, Dr. Rob Falvo, Rick Dilling, and Scott Meister. She studied/mentored by drummers Cindy Blackman, Lewis Nash, Terri Lynne Carrington, Ernie Adams and more. Shirazette received a full scholarship for drum set and jazz pedagogy to attend Northern Illinois University, where she studied with professor Ron Carter.

As a recipient of The Sisters in Jazz Collegiate All-Stars for IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators) Award in 2008, she also taught as a professor at Columbia College in Chicago.

Currently Shirazette resides in New York City but is frequently on tour with premier bands such as Tia Fuller Quartet, The Mimi Jones Band, Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble, Women of the World Ensemble, Gabriel Algeria Afro-Peruvian Sextet, Allan Harris Group, Camille Thurman, and many others in addition to leading her own group, "Shirazette and Sonic Jazz Ensemble Experiment". Formally known as The Shirazette Experiment.

Shirazette was recently the house drummer for The Meredith Vieira Talk Show with her first season on NBC in 2015.

Shirazette is an active clinician, educator, mentor, composer, a certified personal trainer and published author. Two of her articles were published in Modern Drummer Magazine and Tom Tom Magazine. Shirazette is endorsed by Canopus Drums, Vic Firth, LP Music, and Sabian.

In this episode, we dive into the true meaning of identity with Alia Ali. We jumped head first into a multitude of topics ranging from the women's march to the refugee crises. Alia is a highly skilled artist that expresses herself in quite a unique fashion. She exemplifies what an American is, diverse, intelligent and multicultural. I highly recommend that you listen to this episode with the intent to learn, love, and focus.

Connect with Alia here

http://alia-ali.com/

CURRENT PROJECT

SITE: http://peopleofpattern.com/

BLOG: http://peopleofpattern.tumblr.com/

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/AliaAliArtist/

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/studio.alia.ali/

Other Links

http://columbiajournal.org/alia-alis-transglobal-textiles-people-pattern-cast-no-evil/

http://www.alartemag.be/en/en-art/alia-ali-questions-duality-with-layers-of-fabric/

Bio

Alia Ali (Austria, 1985) is a Yemeni-Bosnian-American multi-media artist. Having traveled to sixty-three countries, lived in seven and grown up among five languages, her most comfortable mode of communication is through image and multi-sensory mediums.

Her work reflects on the politics and poetics of contested notions surrounding the topics of identity, physical borders, universality, mental/physical spaces of confinement, and the inherent dualism that exists in everything. Her work blurs the lines between what we claim to be objective and subjective, illusion and reality, truth and interpretation.

Alia studied Studio Art and Middle Eastern Studies at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

I'm casually introducing you to Grammy nominated father, musician, friend, and all-around remarkable human being, Jamison Ross. We had an amazing discussion about the process of success. We also take a listen to 3 tracks from his most recent album and discuss his process and motivation for creating. If you want to know how to direct your path towards accomplishing your dreams you have to listen to this episode!

Contact Jamison Here

http://www.jamisonrossmusic.com/

Contact Darrian Here

https://www.DarrianDouglas.com

or

Become a patron here

https://www.patreon.com/DarrianDouglas

Jamison’s passion for music was realized while growing up in his grandfather’s church, where he learned how to present music with honest intent. A native of Jacksonville, FL, Jamison began his study of Jazz as a high school student at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Jamison gained worldwide acclaim as a featured musician in the Tribeca Film Festival winning documentary CHOPS; a film that followed the school’s jazz ensemble as they prepare and perform in the renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Festival competition.

As a Jazz Studies student at Florida State University (B.S. Jazz Studies; B.M. Music Industry), Jamison was selected to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residency Program at the Kennedy Center in 2009. While there, Grammy-winning songwriter and vocalist, Carmen Lundy took notice of Jamison and asked him to join her band. Through Lundy, he has toured the world and played some of the nation's most historic venues.

Ross went on to further his education at the University of New Orleans where he earned a Master of Music degree. In 2012, Jamison won the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition for drums, the most prestigious award for jazz artists. Since then, Jamison has gained acclaim within the genre through his collaboration with, Wes Anderson, Jon Batiste, Henry Butler, Billy Childs, Dr. John, Jimmy Heath, Ramsey Lewis, Ellis Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Marcus Roberts, Patrice Rushen, Cecile McLorin Salvant and Snarky Puppy.

Jamison’s artistry, interpreted through his profound knowledge of jazz, is an honest and organic expression of humanity. It is true to him, it is Jamison.

Camille and I discuss the science of success. She has an interesting story, one that does not follow the usual path. As a trained scientist her music takes on a life like no other. We examine her formula with the hopes of helping you to compose your own success philosophy.

Contact Camille Here

http://www.camillethurmanmusic.com

Facebook, Instagram, twitter: Camille Thurman

http://www.jazz.org/dizzys/events/174692/camille-thurman-darrell-green-trio/

Contact Darrian Here

http://www.DarrianDouglas.com

Become a patron! https://www.patreon.com/DarrianDouglas

Bio:

Acclaimed by Downbeat Magazine as a singer with “soulful inflection and remarkable, Fitzgerald-esque scat prowess” and hailed by All About Jazz as a “first class saxophonist that blows the proverbial roof of the place”, Camille Thurman has been amazing audiences throughout the world with her impeccable sound, remarkable vocal virtuosity and captivating artistry. Many have praised her vocal abilities to the likeness of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter. Her lush, rich & warm sound on the tenor saxophone has alluded others to compare her to tenor greats Joe Henderson and Dexter Gordon.

An accomplished performer and composer, Camille has performed and worked with notable Jazz and R&B icons George Coleman, Dianne Reeves, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Hendricks, Pattie LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Russell Malone, Nicholas Payton, Jacky Terrasson, Alicia Keys, Lalah Hathaway, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu among others.

Camille performs with her quartet and has been featured at the Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, the Sydney International Women in Jazz Festival, the Tomsk International Jazz Festival, the International Fano Jazz Festival and many other prominent jazz venues and festivals around the world.

In 2015 Camille was a recipient of the Martin E. Segal –Lincoln Center Award for Outstanding Young Artists and a runner-up in the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition. She was also a two-time award winning recipient of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award and a winner of the Fulbright Scholars Cultural Ambassador Grant to Nicaragua and Paraguay. Her compositions were featured and performed by her quartet in the 2013 ASCAP/ Kennedy Center "Songwriters: The Next Generation" showcase. Camille has appeared on BET’s "Black Girls Rock" as the saxophonist & flutist in the All-Star Band.

Camille's debut album ORIGINS, featuring Luis Perdomo (piano), Rudy Royston (Drums), Corcoran Holt (Bass), Enoch Smith Jr. (Piano), Brandee Younger (Harp) and Shirazette Tinnin (Drums & Cajon), was released in 2014 on the Hot Tone Music label along with her second release Spirit Child.

Sean and I explore the complexities of the inner imagination. We listened to music from his latest album as well as music from his childhood. He has the extraordinary ability to compile everything that he has ever heard into a hodgepodge of uniqueness.

Connect with Darrian Here

DarrianDouglas.com

I had the great opportunity to discuss a wide variety of topics with these two amazingly intelligent and thoughtful women.

Alycia Harrington is a chef that has taken the New York culinary scene by storm. She has dazzled patrons with her sweet delectables in several award-winning restaurants here in New York City. Most notably, Osteria Morini, Calliope as well as Dirt Candy, an award-winning vegetable restaurant where she was the pastry chef.

Daisy is a visual artist that has a unique scene of style and humor. She is a multimedia artist with a BFA in Art and a BA in African American and African Studies with a focus in literature from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her work has a heavy focus on the woman and nature with themes of mindfulness, solitude, the passing of time, growth, patterns, and meditation, from a distinctly brown perspective. Daisy works from her home studio in Minneapolis where she lives with her musician/fitness instructor husband Logan U'u. Both are very accomplished and well educated in their respective fields. We discussed visual art, culinary art and a range of social challenges and issues they face as women on the art scene.

Contact Information

Daisy Contact: IG-dgufineart, Web-http://www.daisygilesuu.com/

Alycia Contact: IG- justalyciah

Connect with Darrian Here: http://www.darriandouglas.com

Every guest on The Working Artist Project has one thing in common, dedication to growth. Today's guest is no different. Sharel Cassity's relentless focus on her craft has allowed her to accomplish amazing things. Starting with Attending and completing her education at the prestigious Music School of Julliard to touring the world with legendary artists. She is an unstoppable force of focus, hard work, perseverance, and diligence. I had a great time discussing a wide range of topics with her and I hope you guys enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

Contact Darrian Here

DarrianDouglas.com

Find me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/DarrianDouglas

Contact Sharel Here

www.sharelcassity.com

www.elektralive.com

Bio:

Saxophonist and composer, Sharel Cassity (pronounced “Shah-Relle”), graduated in 2007 with an M.A. in Jazz Performance from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City on a full scholarship. Since then, Sharel has shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, DeeDee Bridgewater, Natalie Cole, Johnny Mandel, Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride, Gregory Porter, James Moody, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Slide Hampton, Nicholas Payton, Jimmy Heath, Maceo Parker, Terrence Blanchard and other jazz greats. She has also performed with mainstream artists Arteha Franklin, Vanessa Williimas, K.D. Lang, Fantasia, Trisha Yearwood, Seth MacFarland (Family Guy), Ruben Blades, DJ Logic and Natalie Merchant. Leading her own groups, Sharel has released 3 albums with a 4th to be released in 2017 and, led concerts in notable venues both in the US and internationally. Sharel has performed on the Today Show (2015), the NBC’s Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular soundtrack (2014), was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame (2010), appeared in an ESPN Superbowl commercial in (2013) and in the PBS Television Broadcast “Juilliard Centennial Celebration” (2006). Sharel has been listed among DownBeat Magazine’s Critics Poll for Rising Star Alto Saxophone for 7 consecutive years (2010-2016) and has been featured in 3 jazz publications, “I Walked with Giants” by Jimmy Heath, “AM Jazz: Three Generations under the Lens” by Adrianna Mateo and “Freedom of Expression: Interviews with Women in Jazz” by Chris Becker. As a student Sharel won the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award and was selected for the elite Betty Carter Jazz Ahead, Ravinia and IAJE Sisters in Jazz programs. Sharel is a Performing Artist for Vandoren, RS Berkeley Saxophones, and AMT Microphones. Sharel grew up in Yukon, Oklahoma and began playing the piano at the age of 6 and the saxophone at the age of 9.

Noah and I listen to some of our favorite songs and discuss what memories and emotions they envoke. We had a blast listing to and discussing these selections. We traveled through time and lived to tell you guys all about it. I hope you enjoy the journey!

Connect with Noah Here:

Web- noahjacksonmusic.com

Facebook Fan Page- facebook.com/noahjacksonjazz

Connect with Darrian Douglas Here:

Web- DarrianDouglas.com

Noah Jackson Bio:

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Noah Jackson is a bassist, cellist, and composer. A graduate of Michigan State University under the tutelage of Rodney Whitaker, and Manhattan School of Music with Dr. Larry Ridley, he has become recognized as a up and coming bassist. Jackson has been performing with many top acts in most music venues in and around New York City and has traveled with world renowned artists such as Abdullah Ibrahim and Winard Harper. Jackson has performed in over 10 countries from South Africa, Qatar, to Nice, France and performed in many jazz festivals both domestically and internationally. As a bandleader, Jackson's group Full Circle has performed in many venues around New York City and Detroit to well received audiences. His group recorded an album in 2011 called "Contemplations: A Suite", which has garnered critical praise resulting in a Top 10 Album of 2011 by the Detroit MetroTimes and performing in the 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival. Jackson is currently residing in New York City.

Today's episode features Nori Naraoka and Jelani Bauman. The three of discussed the complexities of community and the differences and similarities in various cultures. Nori hails from Sapporo Japan whilst Jelani is from New Orleans. Adjusting to a new country, or city can be daunting especially when the culture of that place is the opposite of what you are used to. We discuss the techniques we used to transitioned and adapted to our new environment, New York City. It is my hope that this podcast will help you traverse life's obstacles with a little more ease than we did. Thanks for listing!

Connect with Jelani Here:

Twitter - Jelanibauman

Instagram - Jelanibauman

Connect with Nori Here:

http://www.mfa-records.com/

norinaraoka.net

Connect with Darrian Douglas here: DarrianDouglas.com

Kéyali and I discuss the importance of perseverance. Her story is awesome because of her relentless attitude towards life. She faced a multitude of colossal challenges and managed to build her dream life in the process. Tune in to hear how she acquired an MBA whilst building a successful career as a singer along the way.

Link with Darrian Here: DarrianDouglas.com

Bio: Kéyali is a French vocalist, songwriter and composer based in Mannheim, Germany. With 20 years of music up her sleeve, she’s often remembered for her powerful vocals and effervescence on stage.

Long time Doha resident, Kéyali could be considered one of the pioneer’s of Qatar’s music scene during its humble beginnings along with regular residencies in the country’s finest music venues including the unique Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha. The multi-talented artist is also an award winning actress, recognized for her supporting role in the multi-award winning Independent feature ‘Prince of Broadway’ by New York director Sean Baker.

Currently alternating stints of residencies around the world, her rest time at home in Germany is used to produce, write and record her new album inspired by ‘the pulse of Rock, emotions of Soul, the groove of Hip-Hop and the thrill of World Music’.