An Interview With Jazz Crooner, PHYLLIS BLANFORD!

Get to know the mesmerizing voice of Phyllis Blanford!

She is a powerful songbird that captures the musical imagination as she belts out jazz hit after hit. When she walks into a room, all heads turn as the striking and alluring singer breathes new life into traditional tunes. Blanford high-energy style lusciously fills the corners of the jazz world with color and sparkle.

In spellbinding performances at Lincoln Center and major stages across Europe, Blanford pours her musical passion into every note with an emotional honesty that is riveting. She is taking the jazz industry by storm with her hypnotic voice that enchants every crowd she performs for.

Blanford’s debuted album Edgewalker has high acclaims as it unveils a soulful story of furor and perseverance in a raw, pure and real expression of music that comes directly from her heart and soul. Once you hear the true Edgewalker masterpiece, you’ll lose yourself in the brilliant beat of Blanford’s inspiring voice.

Blanford’s sensuous songs and passionate musical story are not to be missed. Edgewalker is now available on Amazon, CDBaby.com and iTunes for purchase. Visit  http://www.phyllisblanford.com for more information.

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Learn more about Phyllis Blanford in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! What are some words you would use to describe 2016 for you and your music? 

2016 was a year of any surprises. Words that come to mind are incredible, joyous and I want more! More gigs, more radio play, more music.

How has 2017 been treating you?  

Well I don’t believe in complaining so I won’t 2017 has been about teaching, self reflection, and dreaming on my next project.

Where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? 

Music is playing in the background. Abbey Lincoln is playing. I’ve been listening to singer-songwriters. This interview finds me waiting impatiently for June 26 which is the end of the school year! I’ve been been given this incredible gift of performing and the ability to help shape young lives. Shaping young minds takes it’s toll on my voice and my creativity. When you teach all of your creative juices are channels toward insuring that every child is  successful

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician?. No, I wanted to be a psychiatrist! Can you recall your earliest musical memory? 

Yes, listening to Lou Rawls sing Tobacco Road and all of the Motown stars. If I wasn’t an artist today, I would be a therapist.

Let’s talk about your debut album, “Edgewalker.” What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you at all about the entire process? 

Well it was a labor of love and of fear. In making this CD, I had to admit my musical limitations and then to work through them. The spoken word element of the CD was a surprise…it was as if I channeled another spirit during the recording. I had planned to record spoken word on the back of You Don’t Know What Love Is. But the spoken word after Blue Woman was a surprise.

How did you go about selecting the jazz hits to cover on this album? Was it difficult to narrow it done? Were there any that didn’t make it this time around that you hope to put on a future collection?

Choosing the jazz covers was easy, my vocal producer said to record songs the I had sung many, many, times. And that’s what I did. “The Days of Wine and Roses” didn’t make the cut it will be on the next CD.

I understand that you took a musical hiatus just before putting “Edgewalker” together so I am curious to know how you feel like you grew and changed as an artist during that time?

I jumped by leaps and bounds because I wasn’t teaching so all I had to  do was concentrate on was my music, my art..myself

Where do you think you are happiest- on stage performing, in the studio recording music or elsewhere? Has this changed over time?

I’m happiest on stage! It always has been and always will be. I believe my greatest gift is my charisma.

What makes an ideal show for you? 

An ideal show is when I touch the hearts and minds of the audience and the everyone on stage is in sync…

Who are some of your very favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? 

Carmen Lundy, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson and Carmen McCrae.

What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future? 

Difficult question because wherever you turn there are fabulous musicians. That being said I’d love to work with any musicians that can mix jazz and neo-soul. I’d love for Common to write a spoken word for me.

At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs? 

Hope, love and that there are no boundaries except the ones that we create. My next CD will focus on love, hope and peace. etc…..

What advice would you give to someone just getting started on this music path? Or even to a high- schooler who is thinking of becoming a singer full-time when they are older?

Well if you know you love music then study music and sing, sing, sing

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

Lol… please listen to “Edgewalker” and tell your friends. Thanks for listening!