Jazzmeia Horn Performs Live from 'Messages'

Summary

Podcast Title: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Jasmia Horn
Episode: Jazzmeia Horn Performs Live from 'Messages'
Release Date: November 27, 2024

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Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart from WNYC, acclaimed jazz vocalist Jasmia Horn joins to discuss her latest album, "Messages," and delivers a series of live performances. The conversation delves into the creative freedom she experienced while producing the album, her inspirations, and the personal stories woven into her music.

Live Performance: "Tip" [01:09]

The episode kicks off with Jasmia performing her new song, "Tip," accompanied by pianist Cameron Campbell. The track sets an energetic tone, showcasing Jasmia's dynamic vocal prowess and the seamless collaboration with her band.

Discussion on Album "Messages" [04:28]

Alison Stewart introduces the album, highlighting Jasmia's description of "Messages" as a "word of encouragement to anyone making tough choices" and a "reminder that we all make sacrifices"—a timely sentiment ahead of the holiday season.

Production and Creative Freedom [05:20]

Jasmia emphasizes the autonomy she gained while producing "Messages," stating:

"I have the freedom to do what I want to do. Instead of a big band record, I decided to go with a trio setting to truly express everything I have to say." [05:35]

This creative liberty allowed her to co-write ten original compositions and maintain complete control over her musical direction, contrasting her experience with her previous label, Concord Records.

Trio Setup vs. Big Band [09:20]

Transitioning from her earlier works, Jasmia explains the benefits of a trio setup:

"With a trio, I get to be as free as artists like Betty Carter or Nina Simone. This album is about being free—from the record company, from creative constraints, and expressing my true self." [10:48]

She reflects on the challenges of producing a big band album, which consumed significant resources, leading her to embrace a more intimate and expressive trio format for "Messages."

Live Performance: "Happy Living" [11:34]

Jasmia returns to the stage with “Happy Living,” a soulful track that resonates with themes of gratitude and self-awareness. The performance highlights her ability to convey deep emotions through her music.

Inspiration Behind the Songs [17:57]

Jasmia shares personal anecdotes that inspired her songwriting:

Story about Grandfather [17:57 - 19:44]

Jasmia recounts memories of her grandfather, whose wise yet sometimes frustrating sayings shaped her perspectives. One poignant story involves a man with two bags—one for negative comments, which the man allowed to fall out, and a small one for positive remarks, which he cherished. This narrative inspired her song "Happy Living":

"I wrote the song Happy Living for him, and I just keep that bag on my shoulder." [19:39]

"Mother's Love" and Motherhood Reflections [19:49 - 22:19]

Exploring her role as a mother, Jasmia discusses the challenges and joys of balancing her career with raising her children. She expresses appreciation for mothers everywhere and the silent strength they embody:

"I wrote Mother's Love because I appreciate myself as a mom, and I see my children appreciate me as a mom even when they don't say it." [19:58]

Her children, talented in their own right, actively participate in her performances, illustrating the supportive environment she fosters at home.

Thanksgiving Gratitude [22:05 - 23:20]

With Thanksgiving approaching, Jasmia reflects on what she is thankful for:

"Every day is Thanksgiving for me. I'm thankful for my children, having a roof over my head, being alive, and my listeners who choose to hear my music." [22:10]

She also mentions her gratitude towards her new pianist, Cameron Campbell, highlighting the positive dynamics within her current musical collaboration.

Live Performance: "Free Your Mind" [23:22]

The episode culminates with Jasmia performing "Free Your Mind," a requested song that embodies themes of liberation and self-empowerment. Her performance, once again accompanied by Cameron Campbell, closes the session on an uplifting note.

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Conclusion

This episode of All Of It offers an intimate glimpse into Jasmia Horn's creative journey with her album "Messages." Through heartfelt discussions and captivating performances, Jasmia articulates the essence of her music—freedom, personal growth, and the profound connections that inspire her artistry. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to her work, this episode serves as a compelling exploration of culture, context, and the human experience through jazz.

Transcript

[Jasmia Horne]

Hey, Lulu here.

[Lulu]

Whether we are romping through science, music, politics, technology or feelings, we seek to leave you seeing the world anew. Radiolab adventures right on the edge of what we think we know. Wherever you get podcasts.

[Jasmia Horne]

Listener supported WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all welcome back to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Jasmia Horne released her latest album titled Messages. Jasmia says the record is, to quote, be a word of encouragement to anyone making tough choices. A reminder that we all make sacrifices. Sometimes the difficulties encounter along the way are worth it. A perfect sentiment before the holiday. Then after Thanksgiving, she'll be playing four shows at Jazz Forum in Tarrytown on Friday and Saturday night. The new album is called Messages. And Jasmia Horn is with me now in Studio 5 for a special live performance. It is nice to see you again.

[Jasmia Horne]

Hi. Thank you for having me.

[Alison Stewart]

What's the first song we're going to hear?

[Jasmia Horne]

We're going to play Tip.

[Alison Stewart]

All right, let's do it.

[Jasmia Horne]

1, 3, 1, 2, 3.

[Cameron Campbell]

Tip, toe, let's go.

[Jasmia Horne]

Move.

[Cameron Campbell]

Times are grooving she doesn't wait for nobody if you are late you'll be so hurry you've got a date with your body Putties away Tick tock don't stop pop into being give your life another meaning Lock with the groove do be quick but don't assume you got a mission Give your soul another listen get to the kitten just pay attention don't stop for quitting Just tear tiptoe and baby let's grow mo Time's a groove and she doesn't wait for if you elate you'll be sorry you've got a date with your body Go on and put this a bait Tick tick tick tick tock don't you ever, ever, ever, ever, ever stop. Pop into being give your life another meaning like with the groove do be quick but don't assume you've got a mission Give your soul another listen get to the beginning just pay attention don't stop for quitt.

[Jasmia Horne]

That is Cameron Campbell on piano.

[Cameron Campbell]

And baby, let's go. Ooh, times are grooving she doesn't wait for nobody if you are late you'll be sorry you got a date with your body that is a baby Tick tock and don't you ever, ever stop bobbing Give your life another meaning Lock with the group do be quick but don't assume you got a mission give your soul another listen get to the kid and just pay attention don't stop for quitting just Sing.

[Alison Stewart]

That was Jasmia Horne for her new album Messages. That song was called Tip. That's a fun song. That's one of my favorite songs on the record. Where did you first write it? What's it about?

[Jasmia Horne]

Well, in jazz, especially amongst black Americans, we say, man, that show was tipping or let's go tip. And it's really our lingo, right? We just have these little colloquialisms that we say amongst each other, and it just means it's swinging, but it's so progressive to the point where it doesn't, like, go too far ahead. Like, it doesn't speed up in tempo. And that's also a way of life. Like, sometimes we have to just tip, tip into whatever situation we have or, you know, whatever we're going through or life in general. And so that's like our lingo. So I was like, you know what? This might be a cool little, little thing to write.

[Alison Stewart]

You produce this album, you Also Co wrote 10 original compositions. You go on your record label.

[Jasmia Horne]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

In what ways does that kind of freedom, how has it influenced the way you write and the way you record or just perform your music?

[Jasmia Horne]

I would say entirely. It is a part of all of it. It's the very essence of being free that allows me to write and arrange and own in the way that I do. If that makes any sense at all.

[Alison Stewart]

No, it does.

[Jasmia Horne]

I don't have to go and say, hey, I want to do this. What do you think about this? So that's a restraint, you know, it's.

[Alison Stewart]

Not, Can I do this?

[Jasmia Horne]

No.

[Alison Stewart]

You don't have to ask anybody if you can.

[Jasmia Horne]

It's like, hey, guys, what are you doing tomorrow? I need a rehearsal. I need to work out these tunes. And then if we record them and they sound great, then we keep them and we keep moving. But if you don't have that, the freedom to be able to do that, then it's oppressive, really. You know, And I don't like producing or playing or not being able to, you know, express in that way. It's just not conducive for my mental health or just it's not a good environment for me. So. Yeah.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Who's your person that you check in with, though, to make sure?

[Alison Stewart]

Like, am I doing this right?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Is this too much? Is this better? You know? Who's the person you check in with?

[Jasmia Horne]

My sister Sheena. She's a musician as well, and we spend a lot of time together. And she's not my blood sister, but she is just a really good person. We've known each other for a very long time, and we have the same spiritual background. And I'll call her and be like, hey, what do you think about this? And she'll say, uh, that ain't it. Or, yeah, that's great. And I just. I appreciate her because I know she'll give me an honest opinion and not, you know, I'm a fan. Everything you do is great. Mm. I don't need that either. So.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah, it's really important to have those people in your life, especially as you start to go up the ladder. You know, there's a cover on this album, though. It's the song. You're getting to be a habit with me.

[Alison Stewart]

I mean, people have heard Sinatra do.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

It and Bing Crosby do it. Yours is sort of sultry.

[Jasmia Horne]

Ism. More language for it.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

What is special about this song? Let's start with era.

[Jasmia Horne]

I like the lyrics a lot. I'm a lyric person. I mean, I'm a vocalist. So, you know, I love the story, but it resonates with me. You know, you're getting to be a habit with me. We think about all the habits that we have in life. We have to eat, so that's obviously a habit. But if you eat too much, that's gluttony. You know, you get big, you get obese, you start having issues. Same thing with. With social media and television and binge watching and all that stuff. You know, what are our habits? And it just. I could not do it. You know, I wanted to have at least one standard on the record to let the whole world know. Like, I'm still true to this tradition. I just have my own stories, but this one I relate to. So I didn't want to leave it out. It was more like, let's add this piece. It's not my story, but I can make it my story. And then that's when the arrangement came in. It's like, this is already somebody else's story, but let me put my own little spin on it.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah, you kind of like, give it to us slowly, like teaspoonful. A teaspoonful. As you sing it, it's kind of interesting.

[Jasmia Horne]

And that's kind of how our habits come. Like, that was the impetus behind the arrangement. Actually. You don't get your habit. You don't just pick up a habit by everything coming at once. It just slowly happens over time. By the time the song is over, you're like, I gotta listen to this again. And that's how we develop our habits.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

My guest is J. Jasmine.

[Jasmia Horne]

O'Horn.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

The name of the album is Messages. Want to let people know that she'll be at Jazz Forum in Tarrytown on Friday and Saturday night. Now we're hearing you on the piano today. Hi, Cameron. On the piano as compared to, like, a big band or, you know, usually perform with. Why did you actually record. Has a smaller group than you usually perform with?

[Jasmia Horne]

Yes.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

How did you decide you wanted to go in this direction?

[Jasmia Horne]

This is actually my first trio album by myself. So my first two records were. I was signed to Concord Records, and I loved working with them to a certain extent. I didn't have as much freedom as I have now with my own label, but they were great people, great A and R. Chris Dunn. I just. Now I have the freedom to do what I want to do. And so instead of a big band record, which, you know, I did put out Dear Love, which was my latest record before Messages, and that just. It just cost me a lot of money and time and energy and just AA was. It was a very humbling experience, to say the least. It was a lot. And so I said, I'll do another trio record, and this time I'll just have a little bit of horns, you know, pieced in here and there. But I really want people to hear everything that I have to say. This album is almost like you're getting excerpts from my diary, so to speak, you know, And I really wanted to be able to share those things. There's stuff about the kids, there's stuff about my ex, there's stuff about my current relationship. It's just real meaty. And I wanted to be able to do that in a trio setting and not necessarily a big band.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

So does that affect the way your vocal stylings are?

[Jasmia Horne]

Absolutely.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

A trio?

[Jasmia Horne]

Absolutely. With a big band, you kind of. You can't be as eclectic because you've gotta. There's so many instruments. You've gotta sing your part and make sure you nail it. And with a trio, it's, you know, you think about, like, a Betty Carter or a Nina Simone, you know, you get to be as free. And so it's. This whole album is about being free. I'm free from the record company. I'm free to express myself. I'm free to have. This is so much mobility happening, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I love the work that I've done with this record.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Could we hear another song?

[Jasmia Horne]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Alison Stewart]

What do you think we're going to hear?

[Jasmia Horne]

I'd like to play Happy Living.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Happy Living. All right. Let's get you to the mic.

[Jasmia Horne]

Yes.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

We're about to hear Jasmia Horn from her album Messages. This one is Happy Living.

[Cameron Campbell]

When I wake up, I know it's such a blessing and so I really don't be stressing about what the day may bring. I keep my head up high look through the sky and if the rain shall fall the pain will wash away with it. Cause people always saying whatever they are saying. But I have no time for playing because I spend my time on praying and whenever it gets dark I feel the most high in my heart.

[Jasmia Horne]

And.

[Cameron Campbell]

Then I look up at the moon and stars to guide my way. Cause I like to think my own thoughts Because I'm smart, very clever and I can think for myself in any weather. I like to be who I be and what I be when I be happy Living my own life with no strife and so free I don't feel bad when others make me mad I keep a hole in my bag on my shoulders and just sing my own songs and I keep along on my journey of becoming my greatest me and I just be who I be I be me Let me say it again Said I happy free to be me happy me.

[Jasmia Horne]

Cameron Campbell. I'm.

[Cameron Campbell]

I like to think my own little thoughts Because I'm smart, very clever and I can't think for my little self in anywhere that I like to be what I be who I be when I be happy Living my own life.

[Unnamed Backup Vocalist]

With no strife and sovereign. I don't feel bad when others try.

[Cameron Campbell]

To make me mad. I keep a hole in my bag on my shoulders and just sing my own songs and I keep along on my journey Love becoming my greatest me and I just be oh, I be free Mentally.

[Jasmia Horne]

Sovereignty.

[Cameron Campbell]

Uh huh. Mobility financially. I be free Free to be me Grammatically, abundantly. Oh, oh, oh, I be free I.

[Unnamed Backup Vocalist]

Be free Set I'm free. Oh no.

[Cameron Campbell]

I'm free.

[Unnamed Backup Vocalist]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes, that I be free to be me Happy me. Hey.

[Alison Stewart]

That was Jasmia Horn performing Happy Living from her messages. I am getting Lissa's messages from people. OMG, exclamation point at 32 bar song with an introduction. A vanishing breed. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[Jasmia Horne]

Hey, y'all. Thank you.

[Alison Stewart]

So after listening to the lyrics of that song. When did you write that?

[Jasmia Horne]

I wrote that last year. So my granddaddy used to have these little stupid stories that he used to tell me when I was a kid, and I hated them. Like, I absolutely hated them. He would say stuff like, are you going out? And I'd be like, yeah, Granddad, I'm going out. And he'd be like, well, remember to dance with the one that brought you. Like, what? Or like, when I was 9, he would say stuff like, kissing don't last, but cooking do.

[Alison Stewart]

Oh, I like that one, though.

[Cameron Campbell]

Yeah, but I'm nine.

[Jasmia Horne]

It's like, boys have cooties. Granddaddy, I'm not kissing nobody, okay? Like, I'm not kissing anyone. I'm afraid to. When he died last year, I was in Israel on tour. I didn't actually have a chance to go to his funeral. So during his repast, we got together and we were talking about those little stupid stories, and he used to tell me this one. He used to say, jazz, do you know about the man with the two bags? And I'd say, no, but you're gonna tell me, so tell me. And he'd say, there was a man who had two bags, and the first bag was a great big, old large bag that he put on his back, and it had a hole in it. Do you know why? I'd say, no. Why? And he said, because the man walked on his journey, and people said horrible things to him. Hateful things, just disgusting things to him. But he would take those things and put them in that bag, and it had a hole in it. So as he walked, it would fall out on the way so his bag wouldn't be heavy. Then he had another small bag in the front that he kept near and dear to his heart. And those were for the kind and generous things that people would say about him. And there weren't very many. That's why the bag was so small. So you remember that on your journey? And I'd be like, get out of my room. Like, I want to finish watching Moesha. Leave me alone. But now, as an adult, I miss my granddaddy. So I wrote the song Happy Living for him, and I just keep that bag on my shoulder.

[Alison Stewart]

He was a man of wise words. When you go back and think about him.

[Jasmia Horne]

Yes. I love that.

[Alison Stewart]

Hey, kids are with you today. Your kids are here. They're in the room doing their work. Good guys.

[Jasmia Horne]

Good guys.

[Alison Stewart]

You wrote a song in that book on the. On the album called Mother's Love.

[Jasmia Horne]

Yes. Why?

[Alison Stewart]

Why did you want to write a song about Mother's Love?

[Jasmia Horne]

I miss my babies, even right now in this moment, because I feel like every moment of the day they're growing up and I'm missing it, you know? Like, I was in Australia a couple of months ago, and I came back and Kai Lost a tooth. And I'm like, I wanted to be there when that tooth came out. You know, there's so many mothers out there that could be single like myself, or that could be married. I just want to say to the mommies, like, keep doing a great job. Nobody sees you, but I see you. You know, I see women on the train or I see them. I'm getting out of the car at the airport, and I see them with their. You know, their husbands are like, oh, I'm gonna get the bags and go. And then they're like, with the kids and doing all the stuff that moms have to do. And I just wrote mother's love because I appreciate myself as a mom, and I see my children appreciate me as a mom even when they don't say it. They can't say it right now because they don't even know the struggles that I have as a mom. But when I come home, they kiss me and they want to tell me about all their stories and all the things that they did. They write me letters to say I love you. They draw me pictures, you know, when I'm away. They write letters and try to send them to me. And, you know, it's like, it's a very important thing just having a child. It's just a beautiful experience. And I don't always like it when I have to leave them.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I'm sure. Do they understand what mom does?

[Jasmia Horne]

They do. They love what mom does. Actually. Kiya is nine, and she plays piano. She plays piano very well, actually. She taught herself for Elise in, like, two weeks just by watching YouTube videos. She also plays cello, and then Sarai plays piano and she plays drums. She also wants to be an artist when she grows up. So they. They do. They come to a lot of my concerts. They know all of my songs like, like the back of their hand. They have their own artists that they like and love and some that they don't necessarily like that I like. And they say, I don't want to listen to that right now. They have opinions and ideas, you know, about art and music and. Yeah, they do. They know exactly what I do.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Love that.

[Jasmia Horne]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving. What are you feeling thankful for?

[Jasmia Horne]

Every day is Thanksgiving for me. I'm thankful for my children. I'm thankful for having a roof over my head.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yes.

[Jasmia Horne]

In this cold weather.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yes.

[Jasmia Horne]

I'm thankful just to be alive and have a well mind and a good spirit and a kind heart. In these last days. I am thankful for my listeners. You know, they could go to any other jazz club in the world, but they come and they listen to what I have to say, and I really appreciate that. I'm thankful for being here with you, Allison. I'm thankful for my new pianist, Cameron, because we're building a good relationship. We've just learned about each other. Victor Gould and I have worked together for 12 years, and it was just time for a change. And I'm happy to have someone new in my corner who's supportive and kind. And, yeah, I'm always happy, but I'm really thankful and happy.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

So every night, I write down a few good things that happen in the day that I'm thankful for. Even if it's been a bad day, there's a couple somewhere in the day.

[Jasmia Horne]

That is a good thing. I'm going to have to take that from you.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

It's a good thing.

[Jasmia Horne]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

We're gonna hear one more song from you. What are we gonna hear?

[Jasmia Horne]

So this isn't from the record. It's just one of the most requested songs that people always are like, I wanted to hear her play this. Like, I have shows and people are like, why didn't you play Free your mind? So we're gonna play free your mind.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

All right. I'll let people know that Jasmia Horne will be performing at Jazz Forum in Tarrytown on Friday and Saturday night.

[Jasmia Horne]

One, two.

[Cameron Campbell]

Free your mind and let your thoughts expand? Take your time only on your command. Free your mind and let your thoughts expand? Just unwind and leap to the promise? Don't hold on to hatred? There can be a heavy load? You can be free lifted Take you where you wanna go? The pursuit of happiness is inside of you? Listen to your soul Be who you desire you to Read your mind and let your thoughts expand? Freedom's alive inside the child woman and man Re your mind and let your thoughts expand? Take your time, you'll find that love is kind and sublime when you free.

[Unnamed Backup Vocalist]

Your brain K.

[Cameron Campbell]

Go on every mind and let your thoughts expand? Freedom is alive inside the child woman and man Baby you you give me your mind hell, let your thoughts explain? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Just unwind and look to the promised land?

[Unnamed Backup Vocalist]

Don't hold on to hatred Cause that.

[Cameron Campbell]

Can be you can be free? Lift it, take you where you want to go? The pursuit of happiness is inside of you? Listen to your soul Be who you desire to free your mind and let your thoughts expand? Freedom is life inside the child woman and marry your mind and let your thoughts expand? Take your time, you will find that Love is kind and sublime. Take your time, you will find love is kind and sublime.

[Unnamed Backup Vocalist]

You'll find love is kind and sublime.

[Cameron Campbell]

When you free your mind.

[Unnamed Backup Vocalist]

Hey.

[Cameron Campbell]

Free.

[Jasmia Horne]

Here.

[Cameron Campbell]

Free of mine.

[Jasmia Horne]

Free.