Myrna Clayton (singer/songwriter) is captivating. Her distinct musical perspective and life experiences enable her to exude expressive lyrics in a smooth, jazzy, spiritual vocal style. Each word is interpreted in a way that delivers clarity of the message with profound insight. Fueled by a spiritual calling, Myrna’s true passion is to sing and use her gifts to do God’s work around the globe – a worldwide ministry in music – a ministry that inspires!
Influenced by artists such as Minnie Riperton, Nancy Wilson, Rachelle Ferrell and Dionne Warwick, Myrna embellishes/creates a new genre of music – Inspirational Jazz!! She is an “interpretive” singer with an anointed voice that connects with Jazz music lovers who are Believers – those that may or may not attend church. Myrna says, “It’s not about religion, it’s about your heart! The music I express is about love – God’s holistic love. God is not to be placed in a box. He has given me a gift and it is critical that I express it to the fullest. There are no limits to what God can do or where He can do it. He is the Creator! He is All-Powerful. He is All-Knowing. He is Almighty. My ministry in song is to inspire people to step out and obey whatever God has called them to do. ‘Is there anything too hard for God?’ All we have to do is abide in Him, receive His direction and obey! His word is clear. His word is true. I am so thankful that He allows me to be an expressive part of His arsenal.”
Beautiful, talented, charming and savvy, Myrna was born with a gift to sing. As with many great singers, she has roots in Gospel, first singing at the age of five in her father’s church. Myrna grew up in a loving family that stressed education. Her father, a minister and educator, and her mother, a librarian, instilled in her a drive for excellence. A true renaissance woman, Myrna graduated from Atlanta’s Northside High School of the Arts, earned a BS at Alabama A&M University, an MBA from Clark-Atlanta University and embarked on a successful corporate career. However, Myrna’s true passion is to sing and use her God-given gifts in an authentic way – expressing love.
Myrna has performed for national and international audiences. Performances have been in small, intimate gatherings and in crowds well into the tens of thousands. Her true fervor is to reach Non-Traditional Believers - those who may or may not attend church. With that being said, Myrna has performed at festivals, religious and non-religious conferences, homeless shelters and Senior Centers. She’s just back from singing in Gospel shows that toured France, Germany and London. Myrna is a Best New Artist Nominee for 2005 Gospel Choice Awards and her song “Chosen “ was selected as THE featured song for the 2006 Gospel Choice CHOSEN Pastor’s Award. Myrna has opened for Ruben Studdard, Alex Bugnon, and The Mahattans. She’s worked with Luther Barnes and Babbie Mason, Myrna sung at the Olympics in Atlanta, City of Atlanta’s first September 11th Commemorative event and has sung numerous command performances of her stylized version of the National Anthem. Recently, Myrna became lead vocalist for violinist Delores Major’s jazz ensemble - Rhapsody Le Chic. Take a trip to a local nightspot in Atlanta like Sambuca, Apache, or Café 290 and you might just hear Myrna singing – and speaking a word about God’s love.
Myrna and her band “The Experience” perform Inspirational Jazz regularly around the Southeast. Her unique style and selection of songs allow her to deliver life’s universal love messages in most settings and to be enthusiastically received wherever she performs. “Inspirational Jazz is broad enough to include many great love songs…I mean who created love in the first place? God’s love needs to be expressed everywhere, not just in the church. He has blessed me to travel to Germany , London, France, and Nigeria to sing His praises, to be featured at a tribute to Minnie Riperton (my all time favorite) for Breast Cancer Awareness and to have my CD playing in homes around the globe. But, I realize that I am not special. If He does for me, I know He’ll do even more for you. It’s simple, if you seek first the Kingdom (His will) and His righteousness (that means, act right!), then He promises to give you the desires of your heart. He is not like man that He will lie. Try Him!! I am looking forward to following His lead - where ever He leads, I will follow.”
Myrna is featured regularly singing “Inspirational Jazz” at venues in Atlanta and wherever God leads - around the globe. She is a refreshing original – an “interpretive” singer with a lot of voice in a little body. Her compelling voice, words and expressions make her a unique vocalist and a joy to listen to. Myrna has a mission. Myrna has a voice. Myrna has a word for you. …Are you ready to receive?
Who I'd like to meet:
YOU CAN PURCHASE MY CD BY SENDING $15 TO:
P.O. Box 42526
Atalnta, GA 30311
or emailing me at
abelrecords@aol.com
Myrna, People that haven't experienced Saturday Evening Joy are in for a surprise....we know and can only prasie GOD for the awesome times that he has given us at SEJ.
