A few months ago, I interviewed Avery*Sunshine, singer and Dana Johnson, producer at the Holiday Inn Opryland in Nashville for Root Magazine. She was in “Music City” for a performance scheduled later that evening with Urban Soul Cafe.
Here’s an excerpt of the interview:
“Avery Sunshine’s heart is true to her music. In love with God, her ministry is saturated with relatable, real-life experiences. Born Denise White, the native of Chester, Pennsylvania is a former member of the renowned Wilmington/Chester Mass Choir where she fine-tuned her craft prior to attending Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Initially, she and another Spelman student formed the duo “Daisy Rew,” but when the other half of her group got called for a gig on Broadway it was Dana Johnson, producer, lyricist and guitarist, Avery collaborated with to create the music coined by some as “jazzgosoul.
When she sits at her piano and begins to sing, it is evident that she has the proper moniker, Avery Sunshine could also very well be called, the “Voice of Light.” Her self-titled debut album is more than enough, but to see her perform live is an absolute treat. Her compilation of YouTube videos on Big Shine TV only provide a glimmer in comparison to the full illumination she brings by way of piano, voice and heart. During an Urban Soul Café event, and again at the Nashville Recording Academy’s “In the Mix” affair, Avery Sunshine showed her light and not one person in attendance could turn back.
Understanding that she is operating within the divine purpose for her life, she effortlessly owns the stage and crowd in every performance from behind the keyboard, simply fierce. Avery’s choir experience is apparent when she breaks the crowd into soprano, alto and tenor sections while they sing to her direction. Infusing gospel, jazz, soul, rhythm and blues in a seamless pattern, Sunshine has opened for Anthony David, Rachelle Farelle and most recently Ledisi, to name a few.
Root Magazine caught up with Avery Sunshine and her producer, Dana Johnson, during a recent stop in Nashville. In addition to discussing their collaboration style, we talked about her performances overseas, independent artists that she is enjoying and artists she would like to collaborate with in the future.”
Read the rest of the Let Your Light Shine interview with Avery Sunshine and Dana “Big Dane” Johnson here.
@AverySunshine & @BigDane1973 :: “I Got Sunshine” and “Pinin’”
I love me some Avery Sunshine!! She and Big Dane Johnson, producer and on guitar in this clip, recently appeared on Better Mornings Atlanta!
If you don’t know about Ms. Sunshine, Love, you need to see the light, click here.
Source averysunshine.com
Sunday Smiles :: @AverySunshine, @SharifIman, @TheLightSings, @Rudy_Currence, @ShyCarterMusic
Photo taken at The Recording Academy’s “In the Mix: Nashville Soul,” which featured artists Avery Sunshine, Sharif Iman, The Light, Rudy Currence and Shy Carter. The event was hosted by Shannon Sanders, two-time Grammy award winner, at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville on Thursday, December 2.
If you don’t know or haven’t heard about these talented artists, do yourself a favor, and find out. #thatisall <3
@USCafe presents “One Accord” with @AverySunshine, @RonJamesMusic, @Jon_Winstead, Jo Rozier, D-Revolution and Tia of Gravity
Urban Soul Cafe` hosted an evening of great music and spoken word on one stage at Dr. Bobby Jones’ Visions Production Studio in Nashville on Friday night. By providing a platform for talented local and national artists, Urban Soul Cafe is continuously offering their audience an opportunity to enjoy a night out, in a Christian based atmosphere, void of alcohol, smoking or cursing.
Jo Rozier, native of Georgia, opened the show, performing a medley of gospel hits that provided a great segue into D-Revolution’s set. Most know the revolution will not be televised, but D-Revolution is using his gift of spoken word to bring knowledge to the masses. Jazz saxophonist, Ron James, gave his instrument a voice by playing traditional hymns with an updated more current arrangement.
Tia of Gravity, delivered a spoken word piece so powerful, it brought tears to my eyes. As a mother of two and entrepreneur it was like she was reading the words of my journal as she spit lyrical fire for the crowd; she left us wanting more. Jonathan Winstead and the band showed up and showed out, bringing the best of soul to the stage; his performance was emotionally stirring as he shared a personal saga he’s dealing with through tears.
The headliner, Avery*Sunshine, opened her set with “I Got Sunshine,” which is on her album, and illuminated the room with her “Voice of Light.” After paying homage to artists that came before her with a musical tribute, she continued to share songs from her self-titled album, among them; “Pinin’,” “The Most,” “Ugly Part of Me,” “Today,” and closed with “All In My Head.” Joined by producer Dana “Big Dane” Johnson on guitar, and Ron James on alto sax, Avery’s performance was both honest and engaging.
She called her Mom, talked to the band, talked to the crowd, played her keys, sang her songs and held the entire room’s attention with her performance; if she performs near you, go see her — you will not be disappointed. Overall, it was a wonderful evening that brought immense talent to the stage, and I was happy to be a witness. Earlier in the day Avery and I sat down for an interview on behalf of Root Magazine, which will be on stands in January, keep your eye out for that special Stellar Awards issue.
If you want to keep up with Avery*Sunshine, go to her website here; she’s also on FaceBook, MySpace and Twitter. Ron James is on Twitter, FaceBook and MySpace too. Jo Rozier is also on FaceBook, here. If you’re interested in hearing more music from Jonathan Winstead, he also has a Twitter, FaceBook and MySpace. Spoken word artists D-Revolution and Tia are both on FaceBook as well.
@AverySunshine — “All in My Head”
Sometime you have to seek good, new music (it’s not always on the radio), Avery Sunshine is one of my favorite artists out here right now; so I’m going to help you out. If you haven’t copped her album yet, please do so, you will NOT be dissapointed.
If you’re in the Nashville area, I hear she’ll be in town soon!! I’m SO excited, afterall this IS “Music City!”
Officially Crowned @AverySunshine — Nashville, Tennessee’s Music City will be treated to the best of Soul as Chameleon Entertainment and Coram Deo Management Consultants present the “Urban Soul Cafe Ladies of Soul III.”
Hosted by Adriann Lewis of Rizen, the Listening Room Cafe will open its doors on Saturday, August 14 at 7pm. Rachel Washington, Cicely Floyd, Shelly Massey, Keesha Rainey, Kristie Sibley, Bethany Devine, and spoken word artist, Robin Wilson will join Avery Sunshine on stage.
If you are not familiar with Avery Sunshine, please do yourself a favor and find out. This singer, songwriter, pianist is a Pennsylvania native currently based in Atlanta. Her self-titled debut album is on sale now, where ever CDs are sold. Her voice is sunshine on a rainy day, and her live performances are an experience. If you’re in the Nashville area, don’t miss your opportunity to see her live.
The video above is Avery’s performance of “All In My Head” when she opened for Rachelle Farrell in December 2009, at Center Stage in Atlanta.
So are you still asking yourself, who is Avery Sunshine? According to Avery, “I am a self-proclaimed therapist! I want to start the conversation that will lead to individual healing and in turn will affect our collective healing. Let’s get people talking about their experiences so that we can learn from them, grow from them and more importantly, move on from them.”
This is an event you do not want to miss! For tickets, visit the Urban Soul Cafe at www.urbansoulcafe.com. If you want to know more about Officially Crowned Queen Avery Sunshine, visit her website at www.averysunshine.com.
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