Photo Credits include: Lisa Wedgeworth, Sunny Moore, Bill Durham, LeRoy "The Jazz Cat" Downs, Marcus L. Miller, Ian Foxx
Etkilendikleri
The Gospel of John 1:1-5. My brother, Michael, is a musical genius and my biggest human influence. Next, in no particular order: Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Milton Nascimento, Prince, EWF, M-BASE 'nem, Minnie Ripperton, early early Commodores, Meshell Ndege-Ocello, African Music, Wayne Shorter, Claudio Monteverdi madrigali, Return to Forever, Arnold Schoenberg 'nem, Octavia Butler, Steve Gadd, Flute traditions of the planet, Herbie Hancock, A Tribe Called Quest, Cassandra Wilson, Elton John, Betty Carter, T. Ranganathan (South Indian percussion master), Quincy Jones, Guillaume Dufay, Carly Simon, Organic Junk Food, the call of morning doves...
There's a diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4).
A good singer makes the old folks scream and holler, and sends babies to sleep. A bad singer makes babies scream and holler, and sends the old folks to sleep. - DN
NEWS: December was the culmination of several weeks of my working with very talented youngsters as musical director for a tribute to Stevie Wonder, which took place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. The musical involved some 380 kids, and the talented soloists I worked with were 10-13 years old! Working with youth can really get you grounded.
Support independent music! My "dawnloads" are bit pricier than some other downloads, but proceeds will go toward completing my first studio recording. So please support a sister and purchase a song -- or five.
BIO
I'm a flutist, vocalist and composer who is influenced by sound, energy, life and love. I grew up in the Los Angeles area among a family of musicians. Intrigued by the East Coast, I graduated from Wellesley College, then studied Western Classical Composition and Ethnomusicology at Columbia University. For more info on my academic journey, awards and stuff like that, please visit my website, www.dawnnorfleet.com.
At the same time, I also absorbed the thriving underground jazz scene in NYC, traditional and way beyond. I was influenced by some amazing young innovators, such as Andy Milne, Vijay Iyer and David Pleasant. Working with these masterful musicians really helped expand my ears, and I'll always be grateful for that experience. I also had the exciting experience of recording with the great Malian producer and musician, Cheick Tidiane Seck and Daniel Moreno. After moving back to my L.A. hometown, I continued to write and perform, having appeared on the Tonight Show with R&B star, Monica and leading my own projects at various spots. Artists I've worked with run the spectrum of expression, including R&B jazz pioneer Jeff Lorber, Obie-winning actor Roger Guenveur Smith, and the eclectic classical composer/pianist, Mother Tynetta Muhammad.
In a parallel existence, I'm also an educator, who's taught and/or lectured at UC San Diego, Grinnell, Columbia, Spelman, USC, UC Santa Cruz and University of Virginia. I also teach and mentor youth to become the next generation of musicians. I'm honored to join the prestigious roster of Teaching Artists at the Los Angeles Music Center, and serve on the Educational Advisory Committee of the Grammy Museum.
MUSIC
My music, like my cooking, reflects the diversity of my experiences. Improvisation is a big part of what I do. You might not understand why the different, crazy ingredients and spices are used together, but it all somehow makes sense on the palate--where it counts. Although my music doesn't easily fit into a box, I do like using this gloriously vague new description of urban alternative, because it simultaneously confirms and denies one's expectations. The six songs heard on this site represent contrasting sides of my musical personality. On "Roam," "19 Gone," and "All That I Do," I'm doing all instruments, vocals and production. "You Walk, Then Fly" is from a performance at Santa Monica's Temple Bar (R.I.P.) with Cora "CC" Dunham on drums (now with Prince), John Rangel on piano, and Andre Manga on bass. "Live Sound Check" and "Flute Improvisations" were from a stint with a New Age/World Beat group known as Indigo Triangle, led by EdWing. These were recorded live in Palm Springs.
STUDIO UPDATE: I started my current recording project in NYC, but will be completing it in Los Angeles. The NYC leg of the project features pianist Andy Milne and bassist Muzz Skillings, and was blessed locally by percussionist extraordinare, Munyungo Jackson.
OTHER INFO
Favorite Movies: Amadeus, To Sleep With Anger, Eve's Bayou, Once Were Warriors, The Best Man (The Ultimate Black "Chick Movie").
Odd Hobbies: Improvisational cooking and crocheting. Staring at cool birds.
Desert Island Discs/Most Significant Albums in My Life: Steely Dan - AJA (and everything else they did '70-'80); Milton Nascimento - MILTON; Stevie Wonder - SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE; Q-Tip - KAMAAL THE ABSTRACT; Quincy Jones - WALKING IN SPACE; Cassandra Wilson - SHE WHO WEEPS; Frank Zappa - APOSTROPHE.
What I'd like to see in the world: An end to warring and violence--overseas and in our own communities.
President Barack Obama. First Lady Michelle. God has truly blessed America. But each of us shapes our collective destiny, and it is not in the hands of a single human being. The work, our privileged task of repair and regeneration, has just begun.
Salut Dawn, you look fantastic :-) I was listening your beautiful music, you have some really cool sounds going on. Send good feelings and greetings from Hamburg, Silva
You're too kind LOL. It's my duty to help other artists realize their potential ... Let me know if you need more studio time. Your piano playing was pretty good;-)
I hope that you're well and happy and enjoying the adventure of life!
May 1st, International Workers' Day, commemorates the historic struggle of working people throughout the world, and is recognized in every country except the United States, Canada and South Africa. This despite the fact that the holiday began in the 1880s in the United States, with the fight for an eight-hour work day.
On this May 1st, in honor of this historic day, I'm making this special wish for you: May your work be fruitful and your harvest bountiful!
Greetings from Hawaii! I'm here soaking up the culture and beauty and wanted to send some Hawaiian sunshine your way! I hope you had a glorious weekend and that you had the opportunity to get out and feel the sun on your face!
Thirty-seven years ago today, on April 20th 1972, the Apollo 16 landed on the moon.
Wherever you are today, and whatever you're doing, I wish you a happy and safe landing!
Quite my wishes of peace, love and prosperity to the artists-musicians who are there already themselves bearers in their message of humanity and big wisdom and thanks to those of them who pleased me and the honor to show their presence by a visit on my page. Mino-k-jor
I'm so glad to meet you. I will stop by, when time permits, to be a blessing, with words of life, from the Giver of life. Thank you for your friendship, in advance!!
