Michaela A. Harrison and a range of wonderful musicians at any given moment, including Bill Summers, Curtis Pierre (Casa Samba) and Marcio Pereira.
Influences
Far too many to name but I have to give props to the essentials:
Minnie Riperton, Aretha Franklin, Gal Costa, Stevie Wonder, Sade, Chaka Khan, Eva Cassidy, Bob Marley, Mahalia Jackson, Sweet Honey In The Rock/Bernice Johnson Reagon, The Emotions, Cassandra Wilson, Luther Vandross, Elis Regina, Clara Nunes, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Sinead O'Connor, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Mary J. Blige, Roberta Flack, Djavan, Angelique Kidjo, Judy Garland, Phoebe Snow, Sam Cooke, Celia Cruz, Caetano Veloso, Zap Mama, Vinx, Marvin Gaye, Tracy Chapman, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Edith Piaf, Motown, Tuck & Patti, Terrence Trent D'Arby, Earth, Wind & Fire, traditional gospel, spirituals, the early bird, whales...
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Mermaids are real! Throughout the ages there have been times when some of us were called to live out our lives on solid ground, born into seemingly average human families that unknowingly carry the gene of some ancestral fish-woman. Like her we sacrifice the privileges of an underwater existence for breath, and feet--and a voice that carries across the surface of the land, representing for the deep.
As a quintuple Pisces and a daughter of Yemonja and Oshun, any bio of mine requires that preamble to give true context to my life and work. That I “landed” in a family that offered me love and laughter enough to compensate for the incomprehensible suffering and cruelty I’ve so often encountered in the outside world has been one of my greatest blessings. Being immersed in and surrounded by music has been another. From the time I first sang with the junior gospel choir of New Southern Rock Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., I understood that music was a way to move people to their souls, and that singing was in my blood.
Throughout my childhood I sang in countless choirs and theatre productions on both amateur and professional levels. Growing up in Chocolate City gave me constant exposure to people and cultures from around the world, which influenced me tremendously on spiritual, creative, academic and professional levels. My wondrous, hard-working single mother (Brenda) seriously discouraged the pursuit of a degree in music or performance, which was my initial inclination, so I dove into studies about the world and its people, earning an undergraduate degree in International Affairs and, several years later, a Master’s degree in Africana Studies, and becoming fluent in French and Portuguese with some conversational ability in Spanish and KiSwahili as well. During this span of time I traveled extensively (especially in Brazil), worked with cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian, international development and human rights organizations, and led HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs in D.C. and New York City. I had the honor and the privilege of working with and being mentored by Bernice Johnson Reagon, the founder of Sweet Honey In The Rock, and was informed and inspired by the years spent basking in the glow of my proximity to Dr. Reagon and to the sounds of Sweet Honey. All the while, I sang, but always as an “aside;” on evenings and weekends I indulged the artist in me and did my best to infuse the work I did during the day with that creative spirit.
I first came to New Orleans to visit a close friend (LisaBoo) in 1999, and instantly fell under the city’s spell, returning multiple times for extended stays in the period that followed, connecting with musicians and activists, performing occasionally and doing research for my thesis. I moved here after finishing graduate school in New York and, almost immediately, began performing at private parties and community events. After a year as an instructor of African World Studies at Dillard University, I was clear about my desire to continue to educate and promote peace, love and understanding among people. I also finally came to terms with my need to live as an artist full-time and my inability to truly thrive under other conditions. Mother Tongue was formed soon after (with Dorise Blackmon and Tanya Huang), expanding from a musical partnership that had already existed for years. My immersion into the New Orleans music scene and the family of musicians that comprise it has blessed me in infinite ways, and I’m sure that it was being here that gave me the courage and the space to finally surrender myself completely to the spirit of the music that is always moving through me. Since I took that step, I have been convinced that music is the most effective channel for my gifts and dreams of healing the world as I heal myself.
My musical style incorporates elements of my gospel roots as well as a diverse range of genres including jazz, blues, R & B, soul, samba, bossa nova and African traditional music. I’ve had the honor of recording with members of Sweet Honey in the Rock, Bill Summers/Los Hombres Calientes, and Sule Greg Wilson in addition to working with Mother Tongue to create the “Sister” CD, which was released in 2005, just before Katrina. I’ve performed in venues, rallies and on streets throughout New Orleans, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage and Essence festivals, in Washington, DC, New York, California and other parts of the United States. International performances have included festivals, clubs and private venues in Brazil, Jamaica, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. I have a vision of one day doing a concert on a floating stage in the middle of the sea, so that my whale and dolphin cousins can gather ‘round and sing along.
This recent rash of high-profile transitions has made me truly appreciate the life and loved ones I have. Please take the time to live your life to the fullest and treasure your loved ones.
Ahh, spring is so glorious and full of emerging life. I planted some morning glories near the fence by my house yesterday. I felt a part of nature. It felt very good. Happy Vernal Equinox to you!
Hey sistah! I'm so glad to connect with you here...can't wait to see you next time I'm in NOLA! Thanks for all the positivenes and love...keep Swimming Upstream!
Hey! Don't forget to tune in to RadioPhoenix. org for "Rhythm & Roots"...Sunday @ Noon, Monday @ 10:00 PM & Sat @ 8:00am....That's me! Send your music--I will play it!
what a surprise ... this is why i keep the myspace page. thank you so much for the good food (not just for my belly ... but for my soul). i do intend to get back down to nola. let's keep the flow of connectivity ... no matter where we are living in any given moment!
Greetings beautiful Michaela! Thank you so much for being such a generous and gracious hostess. I will be back, cause I am feeling New Orleans. Love you gal! Peace & light, Gypsy
...and certainly Brooklyn is in LOVE with you, Michaela... come more often to NYC, mami... I'll bet you'll love Washington Heights tooooo...come visit me next time
