Pyeng Threadgill - vocals,
Derek Nievergelt - bass,
John Shannon -guitar,
Evan Pazner- drums,
Kevin Louis - trumpet,cornet
Dimitri Moderbacher - saxophone/clarinet,
Influences
Abbey Lincoln, Rebbeca Martin, Bjork, N'dea Davenport, Jeff Buckley, The Urban Bush Women, Sarah Vaughn, Nat King Cole, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, King Pleasure, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Sam Cooke, Al Green, Chaka Khan, Bob Marley, Bonnie Raitt, Tamar-kali, Jimmy Cliff, Depeche Mode, Supertouch, Burn, The Brand New Heavies, early Etta James, D'Angelo, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Michael Jackson "Thriller" & "Off The Wall", Billie Holiday, Angie Stone, Laurie Anderson, Charles Mingus, Asha Puthli, Joan Armatrading, Sting, The Police, Celia Cruz, Omar, Air, Henry Threadgill, Ornette Coleman, Tribe Called Quest, Pharcyde, De La Soul, some Jill Scott, some Erykah Badu, Me'Shell N'Dege O'Cello, Stephanie McKay, some Sun Ra, Aretha Franklin, La India, Meredith Monk, Amina Claudine Meyers, Chocolate Genius, Youssou N'Dour, Zhane, Alice Coltrane, music from the 50's...soundtracks like "Stand By Me", William Parker, Butch Morris, Oliver Lake, Gunter Hampel, Leroy Jenkins, Jeanne Lee, folk singing from any country
Photo: Margaret Jow
Sounds Like
"A cross between Cassandra Wilson and Jill Scott by way of Nina Simone"
-San Diego Union Tribune, 2004
..
On her soon to be released third album, Portholes To A Love & Other Short Stories, Pyeng Threadgill explores concepts of reality and magic, humanity and nature. With Pyeng's vibrant, caressing vocals and her band's rolling rhythms and revolving countermelodies listeners are enveloped in the clouds and put under a spell. From the lulling sensation of locomotion, to the secrets of the sea, the hopeless romantic, to the immigrant experience Pyeng uses lyrics lush in metaphor to depict a wondrous universe.
Judging from Pyeng Threadgill's childhood her musical destinations seem a natural outcome. Threadgill was born into an artistic family on the Lower East Side of New York in the 1970's at a time when Polish and Puerto Rican, Black, Chinese, and Jewish were all living in close proximity. Much of Pyeng's childrearing years were spent in black box theatres, community gardens, Jazz night clubs or on the road with her dancer/choreographer mother. These experiences proved just as influential as the early Soul/Jazz stylings of singers like Sam Cooke and King Pleasure that emanated from the stereo. Yet to round it out Pyeng kept her headphones loaded with a good dose of Depeche Mode, Tribe Called Quest, Al Green, and local alternative Rock bands. She went on to Oberlin Conservatory to study classical music. Upon her return to familiar concrete, Pyeng began searching for her own unique sound. She arrived at a new musical plateau which balanced improvisation and an eclectic repertoire with a healthy instrument.
Nowadays Pyeng attributes her vocal/musical aesthetic to her love for all styles of music from around the world. Her training as a teacher in the Alexander Technique (a practice for removing unwanted tension in the body) has greatly affected her journey as a singer. Ms. Threadgill sees her general outlook on life and Portholes To A Love as being part of the same African Diasporic worldview that understands the interconnectedness of all things.
Pyeng Threadgill's music has been heard regularly on radio, in front of audiences as varied as New York's iconoclast downtown venues Nublu and Joe's Pub, The Montreal Jazz Festival, Detroit Institute of The Arts, The Sun Side Jazz Club in Paris and more and even on the big screen. In 2006 Threadgill was asked to be a featured player in the documentary film starring Youssou N'Dour entitled "Retour A Goree" by director Pierre Yves-Borgeaud. Portholes To A Love & Other Short Stories has already earned her a fellowship from The New York Foundation for The Arts in Music Composition. Using impressionistic guitars, hard set grooves, keyboards, and swaggering horns, it is clear Pyeng Threadgill is a compelling storyteller and bandleader.
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Interview with Pyeng at Atlanta Jazz Festival, 2006
Next week I'll be in Cognac Blues Passions and it makes me think of you. I'll never forget the first time you came with your daughter talkin' at our table. You're really a special person... I met another artist of your style very kind with something that goes directly to the heart of people. Please keep always that it's really a treasure.
beautiful, how are ya, Sharing sum thoughts with ya, keep shining LoVe
Caught up in LoVe, Not the rapid spin of the Earth Busy times continue but Love for all has a priceless worth Things out of our control, nature, people’s thoughts and more Love is all that is needed among earth for not one to be poor. OneLove always……. Peace & Light
Your voice & your sound are great, my friend ! Thank you for your invitation but I am a bit far :-) this gives me the opportunity to come and greet you. Have a magical show. Many blessings
Sup beautiful one Enjoy your tyme……...Keep Shining
The Woman
Your smile is earth’s sunshine Your laughter is my favorite song Your voice is the greatest instrument Your words have calmed raging storms Your heartbeat plays a perfect rhythm Your love will remain immeasurable Your eyes speak an Angel’s truth Your mind strengthens a weary soul Your body is the most beautiful statue Your walk carries a mesmerizing stride Your presence is my light by day & moon by night You are the spirit that gives life its will to survive
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