The dramatic opening immediately commands attention.
Emerging from the lab with a preview of her upcoming summer album, urban jazz
alchemist Mariea Antoinette returns on January 29 with the jubilant “Overture,”
the new single featuring her mystical harp pouring forth as a bubbly
protagonist. The divine stringed instrument is cast amidst an intriguing
orchestral proscenium both ancient and modern constructed by a nine-piece
string section, three-piece horn section and an empowering rhythm track crafted
by Emmy winner and two-time Grammy-nominated producer Allan Phillips, who
co-authored the composition with Antoinette.
“Overture”
is the first original recording from Antoinette since her Phillips-produced
“Straight from the Harp,” which was a Billboard Top 5 smooth jazz album in
2015. The new cut demonstrates that her mission to shatter preconceived
limitations, stretch and abolish musical borders and boundaries, and expand the
possibilities for the harp as a lead instrument in R&B, jazz, funk, soul
and rock remains unwavering.
“My goal has
been to present the unexpected: to make the harp the lead instrument backed by
bass, drums and percussion. I am continuously stretching and pushing the
boundaries of the harp, making a clear statement that it possesses a funky and
powerful place in contemporary music. The harp is unexpectedly expressive in
its delivery, a forceful lead voice and soloist in the midst of it all,” said
the San Diego-based Antoinette.
In addition
to vaulting into the elite ranks of the Billboard chart, Antoinette’s “Straight
from the Harp” garnered an abundance of national airplay as well as critical
plaudits. The mix of originals and R&B classics that comprise her sophomore
outing was released in two versions. The spring 2015 release was enhanced in
the fall the same year by two additional tracks and new cover art when it was
issued as “Straight from the Harp: Special Edition.” Her debut album, “Sexy
Paradise,” produced by the late Fattburger leader Carl Evans Jr., streeted in
2003.
A visually
striking figure that also brings sensuality to the harp, Antoinette’s alluring
artistry has landed her the opportunities to perform for President Barak Obama
and First Lady Michelle Obama, back Ne-Yo at the BET Awards, and play Grammy
parties for Vanity Fair magazine, Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx. In addition to
her solo bookings, Antoinette is part of the powerhouse all-female jazz
collective Jazz in Pink, with whom she has been performing at music festivals
across the U.S. and abroad since 2007.
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