Her Story

Our Journey, began in 1998, straight out of the New School.  I have produced and created platforms for Jazz and new music since the '80's. In addition to creating a voice for myself as a cellist, I have always wanted to create environments where women have a strong voice in the musical scene.

Marlene and I met at Steve Coleman's session for the Genesis CD. A few engagements later we decided to form Sojourner, a string collective performing Jazz and new music. Sojourner became the string section for several recording artists including Greg Osby, Jessica Simpson and India Arie. With India's Acoustic Soul CD, we were featured live on Saturday Night Live and the Oxygen network.

Firey String Sistas! have had several different configurations including string quartet with harp and percussion. A few engagements with WBGO's Jazz series led to the beginning of an incredible collaboration with Mala Waldron. She agreed to cover for one of our artist singing and playing piano. Jazz harp brought a fantastic colour to our band, but finding Mala led us in a wonderful new direction.

 We met bassist Melissa Slocum in the studio. We were called in to play Craig Harris' string tracks for Hollywood star Avery Brooks. Melissa has performed with both the Firey String Company and the Firey String Sistas!. Our drum chair has always been a challenging one to fill. The drummer has to be willing to add flavor without covering the strings, support the bass and lock with the piano. We have been fortunate to work with amazing artists like Berkeley grad Karina Colis and Dorota Piotrowska from Poland. I met virtuoso drummer Camille Gainer Jones in New York City playing with the Wallace Roney band at Joe's Pub. Camille's dynamic beats and innovative style had impressed me so much ten years ago. We are thrilled to have her join us when she is available.

We develop music within the group. In our third year we decided that it was time to produce a CD. Darrell Bridges from Arts & Education Continuum became our executive director for the project. We recorded our first CD "That's What She Said" featuring Marlene Rice, Mala Waldron, Nioka Workman, Melissa Slocum and Karina Colis at Peter Karl Studios in Brooklyn.

 We've had a very fruitful year performing and promoting our CD for family audiences of no less the 250.  Firey String Sistas! has appeared at several major venues in the US including Brooklyn Academy of Music, South Jersey Performing Arts Center, Coltrane Day Festival and the Sugar Hill Music Festival. We sold out two performances for our APAP event , opening for internationally renowned trombonist Clifton Anderson. Special thanks to the Jazz Foundation of America and director at Harlem School of the Arts Theater Director Alfred Preisser for hosting the event.

Since the rise of the all- female band, made popular in the 1920s and 30s, women have worked hard to be accepted into the mainstream. Even more challenging , is the recognition of string instruments as part of a band, not as a miscellaneous addition. Each member of Firey String Sistas! is a band leader, arranger and composer. The challenges are shared and ongoing. A very exciting development for us has been a new following of improvising string players. This movement is bringing to the forefront new music and arrangement for strings. The ensemble’s first CD, That’s What She Said, made quite a splash in the press. Ellie, Mala Waldron’s tribute to her mother is our most played selection, followed by Shine (Nioka Workman) and lastly To the Holy Land by Cedar Walton (arr. Marlene Rice). With the launch of a campaign, we have begun recording for our second CD.

On The Road 2019

Spring 2019 marks the beginning of our travel outside of the city. Our first stop was at the Baby Grand Jazz series in April. The concert was held in a lovely auditorium of the Hartford Public Library. It was Firey String Sistas! first time performing for the Hartford audience, we didn’t know what to expect. At 1:45 the auditorium was half full and 2:10, the place was packed! There was so much energy and good feed back from the audience, it inspired our show. We received two standing ovations and one encore. After the show we went to Black Eyed Sally to have Cajun dinner with our friend Yvonne Mendez. Thanks Hartford. Thanks Yvonne.

The East, Uhuru Sasa school are some of the organizations that I grew up with. We are happy to see that traditions are being passed down through the generations. We try to do the same at Firey String Sistas! The East organization is still working tirelessly to maintain, preserve and promote African and American culture. We were so proud to have been part of the International Art Festival 2019. We had an opportunity to highlight some brilliant young artist; Caylen Bryant and Luciana Padmore. To our East family and our new friends, thank you for inviting us to join this wonderful festival.

In between sets on the Steven Colbert Show and shows with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, bassist Endea Owens joined us for gigs. She is among several dynamic women of color, who are making headway in arenas that have been dominated by men. Last summer, Endea joined us at the vibrant Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival ,August 2019.

IN THE CITY

Harlem has always supported artist of all walks of life, particularly artist of color. Harlemites have and still do open their homes to host salons and intimate concerts, since the Harlem Renaissance Period. Artists, politicians, historians; James Baldwin, Duke Ellington, Hazel Scott, Adam Clayton Powell and many others have shared art, music and stories in a setting that is similar to the house concerts of today. While We Are Still Here, a fairly new treasure of Harlem is creating a very unique niche in the neighborhood. We are proud to have been featured with the organizations’ Sugar Hill Music Festival two years in a row.

A “jewel-box” nestled on the hill , is the Amphitheater at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, New York. We had the honor of being part of their very diverse and adventurous programming. The sun set over the beautiful Hudson River as our audience filed in with lawn chairs and coolers. We were thrilled to see a full house of warm and enthusiastic music lovers. The environment was intimate and energetic like a Jazz club, but open like a European festival stage. Please support this beautiful museum when you can. They have gorgeous visual art, openings , a planetarium, holiday events, summer stage. All of the activities are FREE to the general public.

It is Firey String Sistas’ mission to support the artistry of women, providing a platform for the creation and promotion of Jazz, world & creative music. We are fostering a new generation of talented female artists. As my family have always said, ‘the world is your classroom’. In honor of that belief, we introduce new players to the world at select performances. February 2020, Long Island, NY, at a community treasure, Wyandanch Public Library, we received a warm reception and a wonderful hot meal, as we featured Luciana Padmore and upcoming young star bassist, Destiny Diggs.

ONLINE POST COVID 19

On March 9, 2020, we were preparing for a performance at  Schomburg Center’s 2020 Women’s Festival. Our guest were Women of the Calabash, Ghail Rhodes Benjamin and choreographer Dyane Harvey from Forces of Nature. COVID19 raged through the city and closed all of the art institutions, restaurants and large public centers. All music and art activities were put on hold to ensure the safety of all. We hope the change that is required to create a new and better world will come through. We are looking forward to presenting this wonderful project in the future.

Creative, resilient, beautifully graceful, we follow the stars and planetary alignments to arrive safely home. We create irrigation system for growing crops. We use what grows in the earth to create wine. We put food on our tables with our creativity. Through the very turbulent 2021, artists still create and continue to lead the world through innovation.

One of the leading institutions in NYC, is the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. It is part of The New York Public Library system. This renowned research library is a world-leading cultural institution, devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. The Schomburg Connection presented a virtual Women’s Festival of scholars, artists, musicians on March 16, 2020.

An exceptional alignment was made to fellow Scorpio, scholar Daphne Brooks (born Nov. 16 1968) . Ms. Brooks is professor of African American studies and Theater Studies at Yale University. She specializes in African American literary cultural performance studies, especially 19th century and trans-Atlantic culture. Some of her works are The Woman Who Preserved Zora Neale Hurston’s Musical Legacy, Lemonade from Lemons: Black Women Artists & the Gershwin Problem, 1935-2020, to name a few. Firey String Sistas accompanied her presentation of the Liner Notes For the Revolution,Intellectual Life of the Black Feminist Sound . We were so inspired, we brought Ms. Brook’s book! Featured artists were; violinist, vocalist Charisa Dowe Rouse composer of When the Waters Rose, arranger of We Shall Overcome, cellist Nioka Workman, bassist Destiny Diggs, vocals, piano Mala Waldron and drummer Luciana Padmore, giving the audience a sneak peak of new music from our upcoming CD, a story about the flooding in Louisiana, a heartfelt tribute to Michelle Obama and a tone portrait of the incomparable pianist Mal Waldron. 

ON THE ROAD 2022

The Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series is a 40 year old event founded by the late, great Jazz bassist Paul Brown, resident of Hartford. We had a beautiful summer drive up to Connecticut, straight up rt. 95. We arrived at the park near the Capitol building and received a warm welcome from the audience, the staff, producers and members of WWUH. Rain clouds disappeared at showtime and a large crowd appeared. Thank you Harford, Maurice, Diane and staff for the warmest summer reception. We love YOU!

Live at Pier 48

At the heart of the Jazz community is an amazing organization called the Jazz Foundation of America ‘Honoring Jazz, Blues & Roots one musician at a time’….in addition to providing opportunities to perform, JFA gives a life line to artist in need. We are truly blessed to have this organization as part of our community. Our event at Pier 48 was one of several hosted by JFA. We were rolling back on to the stage after to being lock indoors by COVID restrictions and could not wait to return to playing live. With the threat of rain, we thought that the audience might not want to attend….. but who could resist a free showcase on such a romantic setting by the water? We had a full house, warm, receptive audience. Love always to JFA ….keeping live music ALIVE and flowing!

GPL

A brief and lovely trip out of the city was met with another standing ovation. We have a secret passion for libraries and museums with their vast resources. It is a place where people go to seek information, admire vision and diversity. Please support your libraries, they are the guardians of our culture . The Greenwich Public Library is a gem, not far from New York City. Lovely, modern library, cafe and stage. We were met by a fantastic staff and crew who provided refreshments, green room and great sound. All requirements for delivering a great show. Thank you to all the wonderful people who came out to join us, see you again soon. A special thank you to Dora, Staff and photographer Lily Stevenson.

Race Street Live

@Gateway City Arts

Smiling all the way home about the kind and soulful people of Massachusetts. Amazingly newly developed artsy town. We were totally surprised as we pulled into Holyoke and stepped out of the car….. everyone said “hello”, “how are you?”…. very unlike the aloof and painfully close New York residents. Not sure what happened there….  The area was similar to a smaller version of Williamsburg or Gowanas with newly renovated factories and shops near the lake. The Gateway  City Arts on Race Street is a cool little venue, very light and airy with skylight windows and room for standing only or intimate gatherings. From the bar to the stage, to the tech it was a treat to be there. Vally Jazz Informances by CEO Yvonne Mendez (Photo credits) and Stu Hibbert, presented and hosted an extremely earthy, warm an intimate showcase. Grateful for the exciting  standing O and encore. We thank the Beautiful People from Holyoke (Springfield & Amherst) from the bottom of our hearts for bringing spirit, soul and vibrancy to Race Street Live!

Greater Hartford Jazz Festival

The sun was blazing… I turned on the air, put on my shades and hummed tunes while I drove up rt 95N. Through the lush greenery and occasional marinas, Firey String Sistas was invited back to Hartford. We stayed at a cool mini boutique establishment called the Goodwin Hotel in the heart of the business district. Lucky for me, my favorite Black Eyed Sally’s was three blocks away! I put my things down and walked over. In a distance, the Gold Dome in Bushnell Park was sparkling. The streets were teaming with people carrying coolers and lawn chairs. There were various languages, diverse crowds in the streets and my favorite restaurant was packed. It was Saturday, onstage at the park, Chemo, Sharkey, Spyro Gyro, and heck yeah… Average White Band… much more were all on the same bill. I collected my blackened catfish combo, listening to the great sounds wafting from the festival grounds. I could not believe this was a FREE concert….. three + days …a tremendous staff, the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival rocked it. Next day. Firey String Sistas joined Marquis Hill and Manhattan Transfer on the stage….we would like to send a big shot out of thanks to the staff. Everyone made us feel like part of the big GHJF family…. from hospitality to stage to catering to YOU… our old and new friends who came out to the show.  We had an amazing Sun-day. Cheers! 

Featured Artists: Marlene Rice, Mala Waldron, Camille Gainer Jones, Belden Bullock and Nioka Workman

Jazz In The Garden

It took a minute to reflect on  our set at the Brooklyn Museum Sculpture garden mainly because of the location for me. I spent many years studying in the library, at the Botanical Gardens, riding my bicycle to the park, at the Green market , walking on the trail  with Wild Man Steve Brill and in the museum hungrily staring at several exhibitions, including King Tutankahmun which literally blew my mind.  We were pleasantly surprised that we were greeted with a sunny and breezy day. The Sculpture Garden at the museum is located in the back, completely enclosed by a stone wall, shaded by trees, filled with tables and chairs. The stage and  Taqueria truck made a fantastic addition to the garden. Tacos were pretty great. People are able to view the exhibits indoors, visit the cafe, gift shops and spill out into the garden for the showcase. It was a very magical , intimate experience performing at the Jazz In the Garden series thanks to a wonderful soundman, JFA and host. We had an awesome time. Thank you for supporting us… Beloved Brooklyn!

Photo Credits: Jazz In the Garden series, Kolin Mendez/Kolin Mendez Photography, For the Brooklyn Museum@kolinmendez, #kolinmendezphotography

Ossie Davis Theater

New Rochelle Public Library

We were invited to perform in an amazingly humble venue named after one of the most dynamic icons of our time . The Ossie Davis Theater was named after artist, actor, activist Ossie Davis, long time resident of New Rochelle .  We were so honored to be in this wonderful theater. The staff quietly prepped for our show on stage with little to no drama. While on break, I had a chance to roam the halls where there was an amazing photo of Miles Davis….very hard to take your eyes off of this one… The Ossie Davis Theater is a very special listening space with wonderful acoustics and clear sight lines. Our experience was totally different than our last experience on the festival stage.  Greetings to our new friends, a few young, upcoming string players and a BIG shout to our old  friends Sheila, Mary ……a hug for Tobie and Ed! Thank you for sharing an evening of music  with us. Cheers.

On THE ROAD 2023

New Mexico

(April 19-22, 2023)

Robertson & Sons

Violin Shop

Our first stop was ushered in by Alicia Ultan (fellow string artist), who drove us to a beautiful venue  called Robertson & Sons Violin Shop, a string players dream , a stone’s throw from Outpost Performing Arts Center. We were awed as we were ushered in by Alicia to meet Aaron and receive a tour of this wonderful venue. Similar to NYC’s HSA, with a small recital hall, art program but very much like Gage/Finlay with all things strings. A very unique place with beautiful strings everywhere for all string players. It was truly a string player’s dream to be there. Make this your go to spot for everything from instruments, books, strings, rosin and repairs. Link- www.RobertsonViolins.com. If in Albuquerque, please visit!

Outpost Performing Arts Center, Albuquerque

At showtime, we arrived from the airport hotel to a very special, small intimate space. Our title; “a rose of the desert” , the native title of the location is the “Land of Enchantment”. This home for Jazz, World, Music, Art and community gathering, hosts artist like Kenny Barron, Dave Holland,  Trio 3, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Chris Botti and Regina Carter. There is a small stage, with the audience in the round, a lovely backroom dining area and concession staff. The staff and crew is friendly and supportive, working back stage diligently, quietly trying to  make visitors feel at home. The audience was lively and fun. We are looking forward to returning! Thanks for the standing O ;-)

We travelled smoothly by shuttle van,  for 1 hr. from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Still sipping on breakfast drinks, we rode past the impressive mountains, casinos, strip malls. The driver pointed out the area where the set for ‘RUST” was buried in the hill. We saw horses running freely in search of  the Rio Grand. Riding towards snow cap mountains, onto a narrow roadway past several really cute adobe red, beige and terra cotta clay houses, up into the hills we stopped at the Sage Hotel. The hotel was across the street from  SITE, Contemporary Art Museum. It almost felt like we were in California. With the weather so warm. The air was clean and light. It was early morning so we dropped our bags and went in search of coffee. To our delight, hidden in the middle of next block set off the road, we found a ‘watering hole’  called, the Modern General. This super cute venue was an eco cafe set up like a modern general store equipped with coffees, teas, fresh juice smoothies, vegan treats, blts, pastries and gifts for foodies to take back home, major yum!

 SITE, Contemporary Art Museum

This really cool building had sloped roofs, surrounded by conservation land with sheep, goats, trails and a train back to Albuquerque set in the grounds surrounding the museum. Indoors, the performance space was bright and airy. Santa Fe Jazz Collective  had a great staff and sound man who worked with John to create a cool, intimate, semi acoustic set. The audience was warm and responsive to every breath, bow stroke, brush, pluck of the string and we felt appreciated and supported by the Santa Fe people….hope to see you again soon…Cheers!

Act-So

Firey String Sistas, thanks ACT-SO, Westchester for presenting us. This organization inspires young students to expand their horizons and sharpen their skills. From performing and culinary arts to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), students can demonstrate talents in various competition areas. Please support this wonderful organization.

A big shout out to  South Arts Jazz Tours  for keeping live music alive and thriving.  You are an amazing and essential support to the independent artist…THANK YOU