While studying with masters like Terence Blanchard and Wayne Shorter at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in the late 2000s, Johnaye Kendrick says she was shy about performing her own music because it was so personal. A decade and a million inspiring life experiences later, the stunningly versatile San Diego bred, Seattle based artist’s life is a glorious and compelling open book.
On her second independent album, the perfectly titled Flying, Johnaye lends her exquisite, rangy vocals and transcendent, truly otherworldly genius for scat to a soulful mix of thought provoking, emotionally hard hitting originals and well-chosen, offbeat selections (from Lauren Wood, John Mayer, “Pinocchio,” et al). Showcasing her unique talent for intimate, personal storytelling, these 12 tracks allow her to share her feelings about everything from marriage and motherhood to Black Lives Matter and #MeToo – or as she calls it, “the beautiful mess of life.”
With Flying, Johnaye Kendrick – also a Professor of Music at Cornish College of the Arts- establishes herself as a voice not only ideally suited for our time but also for the ages.