Interview with R&B Rhythms, Las Vegas, April 7, 2017
Transcript of interview by R&B Rhythms, Las Vegas, April 7, 2017. The transcript was posted on the R&B Rhythms website.
R&B Rhythms is here with Donna Greenberg, how’s it going?
It’s going really well thanks. Hope it’s the same for you.
I am delighted to be on your show!
Tell me a little bit about how you got your start in music and who are some of your musical influences.
I’ve been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a music-loving family. Tastes and record collections were very eclectic: jazz, opera, Broadway, classical and pop. This led me to study music seriously – voice, piano and theory while I continued to write my own songs.
Musical influences:
Basically, I have been strongly influenced by the creators and interpreters of the great American Songbook.
Singers: Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker.
Songwriters: Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim and so many more of both categories.
Do you have any upcoming albums getting ready to release?
Yes, my new CD (which will be released later this month) is something completely different. “The Love of Songs of James Joyce” is a “song cycle” set to poems from CHAMBER MUSIC (1907), an early poetry collection by the famous Irish writer James Joyce (1882-1941). It’s a story of unrequited love, with original music composed by yours truly and arranged by pianist/arranger extraordinaire Mark Kieswetter.
We have tried to remain true to the purity, beauty and subtlety of the language and imagery of James Joyce’s beautiful love poems.
The style is jazz with a Celtic twist and a pinch of classical! Each song has been carefully arranged for different instruments to bring out its unique qualities and yet connect it to the overall arc of the cycle. Superb performances by some of Canada’s finest musicians: Mark Kieswetter on piano, keys, percussion and celeste, Jordan O’Connor on bass, Drew Jurecka on violin and clarinet, Melissa Scott on oboe, Kiki Misumi on cello, Tom Skublics on flute and tin whistle, Sharlene Wallace on harp and of course, I, Donna Greenberg, am on vocals.
Do you have any more upcoming videos?
I have a youtube channel for Donna Greenberg Music and yes, I am in the process of working on a few new music videos of my songs.
What are your current thoughts on the music industry?
I think this is a great time and opportunity for the Indie artist to share their music. There’s so much more personal freedom for the musical artist to create original music and covers, with more new and varied ways to reach people besides the traditional routes.
The internet helps artists like myself connect with people everywhere – it’s a fantastic tool. Social media also helps to get the music out there.
Stations like R&B Rhythms are absolutely essential for Indie artists like myself especially in the jazz world where it’s an even smaller niche group.
The future of the music industry seems to be online.
What is currently playing on your playlist musically?
Ella Fitzgerald, Irene Kral, Helen Merrill, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Bill Evans….
Do you have any shows or tour dates?
Busy writing new songs and promoting these two CDs but I will be lining up jazz gigs soon.
I’ll be performing the “Love Songs of James Joyce” at the Diasporic Joyce” conference in Toronto in June for those James Joyce lovers.
What is your website information?
Appreciate the interview, any last words or shout outs?
Thanks again for having me on your show, Demarcus, it’s been a pleasure.
Hope folks out there enjoy my music and the Reflections video on youtube!
My CDs are all available to buy in hard copy and digitally on my website http://www.donnagreenberg.com Have a great, music-loving day and thanks for listening!
Donna Greenberg 