Urban-jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette making a “Thing” about
her new single and also previews
her forthcoming “All My Strings” album with an imaginative take on Lauryn
Hill’s “Doo Wop
(That Thing),” dropping September 23.
Strip away Lauryn Hill’s scathing admonition to men and women
on her 1998 hit, “Doo Wop (That Thing),” and you are left with an innovative
rhythmic track that astutely balances jagged hip hop edginess and a melodic
R&B soul. It’s an unlikely composition for a classical harpist, which makes
it Mariea Antoinette’s sweet spot. She has made it her mission to tackle
unexpected funk, rhythm and blues, and pop songs, creating new possibilities
for her instrument by presenting them with harp as the protagonist. Teaming
with producer and arranger Allan Phillips, Antoinette’s reimagined “That Thing”
goes for playlist adds on September 23.
Antoinette’s
elegant stringed siren provides a surprising contrast over the buoyant beats
Phillips constructed. Lush harmonic accoutrements are provided by a vibrant
live horn section - trumpeter Derek Cannon, tenor saxophonist John Rekevics and
trombonist Jordan Morita - and dramatic strings from the APM Allstars Strings
along with Evan Marks’ guitar and Phillips’ keyboards. Antoinette debuted “That
Thing” with her band on stage last month at the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival,
garnering an enthusiastic standing ovation.
“I chose the
track for its funky, innovative rhythm and the beats are very cool. It’s a
perfect song for harp that people are not expecting. Lauryn Hill is a music
pioneer and a leading voice for women and for her style, ingenuity and
edginess. The stories she tells through her music and lyrics are fresh and
unique. ‘That Thing’ schools both women and men on motivations, keeping your
eyes open and being wise in relationships. Everyone loved it when we played it
live in San Diego,” said Antoinette.
“That Thing”
offers an alluring glimpse into Antoinette’s forthcoming album, “All My
Strings.” She and Phillips are busy tracking material for her third album that
is slated to drop January 31, 2020 on the Infinity Productions/MAH Productions
label. Antoinette’s last outing, “Straight from the Harp,” went top five at
Billboard when it was released in 2015. The San Diego-based musician has been
balancing her solo career with being a member of the all-star female ensemble
Jazz in Pink since 2007. In June, she made her Playboy Jazz Festival debut at
The Hollywood Bowl playing with Jazz in Pink, with whom she has performed at
several prominent festivals this year, including Seabreeze Jazz Festival,
Capital Jazz Cruise and the upcoming Barbados Jazz Excursion and Cancun Jazz
Festival. The award-winning harpist collected three statues last year for
Instrumentalist of Year (San Diego Prestige Awards), Best Jazz Single for
“Overture” (Black Women in Jazz & The Arts Association), and a BMA Image
Award from the Black Music Awards. Her high-profile performances include
playing for President Barak Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, with Ne-Yo at
the BET Awards, at Vanity Fair’s Grammy party with Jamie Foxx and on American
Idol.
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