About the Grandmother Project
Grandmother is a concert, recording project and art series that is an interdisciplinary music, documentary film and textile arts exploration of Black women’s vocality through the signature songs of the prolific Black women jazz vocalists, African American roots music like the congregational songs of the Women of Gee’s Bend and the revolutionary songs of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Maya Angelou, Fannie Lou Hamer and Nina Simone. The piece builds on my recently published book chapter in the Routledge Companion of Black Women’s Cultural Histories called “Singing Power/Sounding Identity: The Black Woman's Voice from Hush Harbors and Beyond.”
The concert is a revolutionary presentation of jazz, gospel, fusion and soul that gives honor to the African – American female vocalists who were the architects in building African – American music, national identity and international representation. These women, called The Grandmothers, literally hold this position genealogically, generationally, historically, culturally and artistically. Jazz Vocalist Maya Cunningham pays tribute to the vocalists of yesteryear by creating a montage of live music, film footage and recordings.
Maya Cunningham is Lead Vocalist and Director of the Grandmother Project. Hailing from Washington DC, she is one of the most exciting of the new generation of jazz singers. She creates energy when she sings with impassioned vocals and cutting interpretations. Called a “talented young singer” by Village Voice jazz critic Gary Giddins, her vocals combine the elements of fiery soul, blues and be-bop jazz phrasing. The ensemble includes keyboard, electric bass, drums, percussion, saxophone, trumpet and vibrant background vocals.
Cunningham conceived of the Grandmother Project through the inspiration of the bold and brilliant African – American women who have shaped her as a vocalist, scholar and artist. With the voice, the pen, the sewing needle and the brush, her name sake Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, Alma Thomas, Faith Ringgold, Carmen McRae, the Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend and many others have influenced Ms. Cunningham’s music and art.
The concert is a revolutionary presentation of jazz, gospel, fusion and soul that gives honor to the African – American female vocalists who were the architects in building African – American music, national identity and international representation. These women, called The Grandmothers, literally hold this position genealogically, generationally, historically, culturally and artistically. Jazz Vocalist Maya Cunningham pays tribute to the vocalists of yesteryear by creating a montage of live music, film footage and recordings.
Maya Cunningham is Lead Vocalist and Director of the Grandmother Project. Hailing from Washington DC, she is one of the most exciting of the new generation of jazz singers. She creates energy when she sings with impassioned vocals and cutting interpretations. Called a “talented young singer” by Village Voice jazz critic Gary Giddins, her vocals combine the elements of fiery soul, blues and be-bop jazz phrasing. The ensemble includes keyboard, electric bass, drums, percussion, saxophone, trumpet and vibrant background vocals.
Cunningham conceived of the Grandmother Project through the inspiration of the bold and brilliant African – American women who have shaped her as a vocalist, scholar and artist. With the voice, the pen, the sewing needle and the brush, her name sake Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, Alma Thomas, Faith Ringgold, Carmen McRae, the Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend and many others have influenced Ms. Cunningham’s music and art.