Marilyn Monroe meets Grace Jones and Gil Scott-Heron in a band that reminds us slightly of Sly and the Family Stone if they all would have grown up in Munich Germany if you know what I mean
Hey, you all, thanx for visiting. I love your feedback!
"Natural High" is my debut album - recorded in 1999/2000 in NYC; I had just arrived and played with the thought of moving here. Some people call these tunes "exotic neo soul" - but for me there exists no "neo" soul- either you have soul or not - even if you're born in Munich Germany - I mean I did not grow up with the privilege to listen to Funk but - I was funky from the day I appeared on this our planet - without knowing what funk was. I grew up with classical music - my father played the organ in church and piano at home and he tried hard to get me into it but I love african rhythms, I love deep drums.
I grew up as the only child with 4 amazing adults who survived Hitler. I revceived their survival teachings and I was always an observer and the moment I could hold a pen I started writing down my observations. My mother was a dancer and she took me to her Russian ballet teacher Ms. Godlewski who was a lesbian and chain smoker and already in her late 70ies. She sat on a chair and had a whip and an assistant who showed the exercises and walked the rows and whoever was not concentrated received a strike. The whip was never used on me. Mrs. Godlewski loved me and allowed me to train with the adults and because I picked up quickly I was performing at a very early age solos on stage - the only child in midst of grownups. Later, in school, I refused to sing with the other kids because I could not take these insensitive and out of tune voices that surrounded me and I had a serious problem with the German songs they tried to teach us - specially the rhythm was awkward.
Later, after studying politics and journalism I became a stage actress - played great main parts from Schiller to Arthur Miller to Tennessee Williams to Joe Orton - grew into being a theatre co-director - translated all the English and American plays I played in - because Ifelt it could be translated more contemporary . I also played in a lot of TV productions - you can Google it. The name my wonderful Mother gave me is Jeanette and together with my Fathers family name I am known in Germany as Jeanette Muehlmann. I started to write poetry out of unrequinted love and got my first book published in 1996 - in German and English. You can buy it on my www.sena-poet.com website. It is called "Jeanette -Softly but highly dangerous I open your Heart".
People liked my work and instead of stiff readings in bookstores I started performing my poetry in theaters - with percussion and a wild guitar.
The name "Sena" was given to me 1997 by an old woman - the mother of my first percussion player Arsene de Souza - during a family gathering in Ouidah, ancient Dahome, now called Benin, West Africa. I feel very grateful and honored to have received that name. It's a tribal name. An African name. The meaning is "bringing Heaven to Earth".
I had the pleasure to study many years with a great singing teacher: Bennie Gillette, who made me sing all kind of styles, from Puccini to Ellington, and who told me:" you are like a hickory tree" and when I asked her what that means she said:" when spring comes nearly all the trees blossom - except the hickory tee. This tree is different, does not blossom for many seasons and is an outsider to the other trees and because this tree thinks something is wrong with her there is a sadneness around her - but when this tree blossoms then" - and she smiled - "well, you will experience it for yourself and then you will know"...
I would not call myself a skilled instrumentalist, I am - a searching Poet who actually can sing in 3 octaves. These tunes are my very first experience.
I had guidance by Hardgroove who explained me the form of a song - it was a challenge for me to squeeze my ideas into a song-corset. Hardgroove brought Selan and Victor J.Burks for the Keys, I met Sky Williams and he came for some funkt tracks, as well as Brad Graig for the guitar, Gregory Latty and Bobby Allende on percussions; Miri Ben Ari violin and Dawoud Kringle sitar for some short licks. There were more people involved, if you go to my website you get the whole picture.
Even if I come from the Word - it is the Rhythm, the Drum that turns me on - ... see, even if I am in a serious conversation - if I hear some cool poly rhythms playing somewhere in the background of my life- I can't help it - I will forget all the great words and just go for the Rhythm - in India and Africa I sometimes woke up in the middle of the night and chased down a drum sound in the far distance and ended up in the neighbours village.
So this CD is only the beginning.
To my delight Laura T. Lynch of Kweevak.com praised "Natural High"like this: "Sena is a vibrant performer, the compositions have exotic world tones, smooth melodies, dynamic rhythms, captivating and funky. "Natural High" is a magical blend of diverse influences of multiple genres; vivid, intelligent and poetic lyrics, delivered with a silky, charismatic and sensual voice." - not bad for a beginner, right? And I do not even know this woman! Thanx Laura, and my gratitude and my smile to all musicians who helped me with this project.
In April 2006 my/our "German Rap"-song "Freiwillig" was nominated one of the winners of the internet competition"American Underground Idol"; strangely enough in the electronica section. Life is funny...
"Freiwillig" is on the CD "Natural High" as a bonus track and was my very first poem written in form of a song...
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The DC Metropolitan Area Circle of Friends extends our heartfelt thanks for adding us as a friend, your personal contributions to the Myspace community, being a positive presence and a beautiful soul. Your page has lotsa flava and vibe which frankly initially caught our attention. Don't be a stranger, don't get lost in our ever growing but much appreciated network of friends, pop in to say hello sometime, and we hope to see you at our 4th annual jazz affair in September to meet you in person. We rocked the house last Fall. Much love and respect. Stay connected and thank you again for keeping us informed.
Sena: Good to hear back from you! Hope to visit in the spring. April 6-9. Will keep u posted.I will be ready to buy some of your designs to wear. Love your songs. I admire your spirit and quest for life.
Dear Sena, Welcome to Rock Child's friends! It is great to have your as myspace friend, tooo! I love the site and I hope you get a chance to check out our music and let me know what did you think of it, any digs, any favorite song or something...we'd love to know until I see you again, sending you LOTTA LOVE, T. J ~~~~~RockChild, NYC
OMG Sena!!!!! Your such a beautiful soul!! Your multi-talented, and ur spirit is good. Your music, I can tell it comes from a good place called 'Heart.' And your profile pic is 2die4!!!
