The jazz and soul singer and songwriter Lady Blackbird debuts in the Kilbourn Series at the Eastman School of Music this Thursday, February 22 at 7:30 PM in Kilbourn Hall. The singer’s moniker came while recording Nina Simone’s 1966 song “Blackbird,” a song that captured the struggles of the Civil Rights movement with lyrics like “why you want to fly Blackbird, you ain’t ever gonna fly,” starkly accompanied by the boing of bass strings and a hypnotic rhythm. Although the timing was coincidental, Lady Blackbird’s recording dropped right during the civil unrest of 2020 and was met with a similar response: it catapulted Lady Blackbird into the spotlight as an artist whose powerful vocals were able to contemporize both the famous song and the continued struggles underlining the Black Lives Matter movement. Now, even superstar Taylor Swift knows the soul singer’s name.
This week, Rochester audiences will have the chance to hear selections from Lady Blackbird’s breakout 2021 album Black Acid Soul, which won her the honor of 2022 International Jazz Act of the Year from Jazz FM, as well as some new works planned for her upcoming album. We caught up with Lady Blackbird to ask a few questions about her association now with political messages, her advice for young singers, and what we can expect at her concert.
Q: The choice of your moniker, “Lady Blackbird,” feels inherently political, named after Nina Simone’s infamous song. And although your recording of “Blackbird” only coincidentally came out around the time of the COVID crisis and concurrent civil rights conflicts, it seemed to solidify your status as a political artist. I’ve also heard that your upcoming album will focus on the empowerment of women. How much do you view music as a vehicle to shed light on the various structures of power working against your identities? In other words, what kind of power does music hold to share your identity, how intentionally do you share your identity through music?
A: My name actually happened as a spontaneous response while we were listening to the recording of “Blackbird.” “Blackbird” was already slated to be released but ended up being released coincidentally during the time of the George Floyd murder. I don’t however feel it solidified anything for me as a political artist. That is such a deep role, one that I don’t feel entitled to. I am an entertainer. But as artists, we have a platform to touch on many topics. For me as an artist I will always stand for freedom. From civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQIA rights, and human rights.
Q: Rochester has a significant history within the civil rights movement, both for its role in the abolitionist movement (the home of Frederick Douglass and stop on the underground railroad), as well as for its role in the women’s suffrage movement (home of Susan B. Anthony). How does it feel to perform in a city that seems to care deeply about your status as an artist the messages connected to your music? Do you have any other thoughts or feelings about performing in Rochester and/or the Eastman School of Music?
A: I feel very proud to be playing in Rochester, a place having such a historic and pivotal history. This is my first time here. You all have shown me so much love already. I’ve gotten to speak with a couple of wonderful people in Rochester doing some radio press. I’m really looking forward to meeting you all in person. And congratulations on the launching of the jazz voice degree program at Eastman! What a vital program keeping music and art alive.
Q: Although your talents were discovered at a young age, it took a while for you to find your way to this major success as a recording and performing artist. Eastman is launching a jazz voice degree program (led by recent Grammy-winning singer Sara Gazarek of säje), and I wondered if you had any advice for up-and-coming singers on becoming successful and the work and perseverance of being a musical artist.
A: For me as a singer, this is something I’ve pursued my entire life. I’ve been signed to record labels, dropped from record labels, almost reaching the things I’ve dreamt about and then having the rug pulled right from under me. Having my debut album finally come to fruition and released, though later than I expected it to be in my life has been a true lesson in patience. And I’ve had to fight all the negative thoughts and feelings of thinking about giving up as well but my love for what I do never would let me settle there. Keep going. Also never forget this a business. Learn all you can about this business because its so easy to get taken advantage of by these labels and business people. Be smart and keep doing what you love.
Q: For your concert here, will you play anything from your upcoming album or music outside of your Black Acid Soul album, or will fans mainly get an up-and-close experience of your recorded work? Can you tell us anything more about your upcoming album? How will it differ from Black Acid Soul?
A: Going into the new album I felt it would be Black Acid Soul with more acid but it’s taken on a soul, gospel feel. We’ve been in the studio recording and it’s shaping up so beautifully! I will be performing a combination of songs from Black Acid Soul and also playing some of the new songs from the upcoming album for the first time. I hope you all enjoy the show!
Kilbourn Concert Series: Lady Blackbird
Thursday, February 22 | 7:30 PM | Kilbourn Hall
Tickets available for purchase at EastmanTheatre.org