The other day I stumbled upon the music of Andra Day. I was blown away by her beautiful voice. So strong yet soft. It was a perfect complement to my studio session of painting a jazz player. There was attention to detail, but overall there was a flow. And when you step back you see the whole picture before you.
I love the music of storytellers. One of my favorite female vocalists is Ani deFranco. Each song is such a rich, personal story. When I paint I am inspired by her standing up for herself, of making it as a woman in a man’s world, of breaking into her field. She rages against the boxes that people put her in.
But back to Andra Day. To me, her voice is a mix of Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, and a touch of Amy Winehouse. And yet it is distinctly her own. My comparison doesn’t really do her justice. She has her own voice and her own stories to tell.
I listened and I painted and let everything else fall away. Here is a sample of her signature music. I hope it helps you get to your own happy place.