Meet Jae Duncan Talented Woman in Jazz from Atlanta, GA
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in music.
I’ve been singing all my life; at home, in church and school choirs. I have limited formal training, but can feel a song and make it my own. My son encouraged me to join a Unity church choir in the late 80s after ‘feeling’ my energy while singing a congregation song. I joined the choir after the service and soon became one of the ‘featured’ vocalists for the choir. Afterwards, I started singing jazz standards in clubs around Washington, DC and at private functions. I currently live in Atlanta, GA and penned the lyrics to my original songs during a two-year period of unemployment. I am currently shopping some of the songs for film and television licensing.
What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place?
Singing chose me, I did not choose it. People have always told me how much they enjoy it when I sing. I really enjoy when audience members tell me how much they enjoyed my delivery of the songs I sing. They say they no only hear the music but they ‘feel’ it. I like that. My inspiration for half the songs on ‘A Gift for You’ was human awareness about life and our planet. Humanity seems to be very reckless about our connectedness to each other and everything in the world.
What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome?
This original CD is the biggest risk I’ve taken so far. I’m looking for band members now to perform the songs live.
From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc?
My role models are: Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn, Sarah Vaughn, Joan Cartwright. I also enjoy India.Arie and Jill Scott.
What do you do to keep yourself sharp?
I meditate and do yoga.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’d love to be in Europe or Australia performing enough to make a good living.
What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment?
I like movies, plays, walks in the park, nature, reading, dancing.
What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?
I can be contacted via email: jastar118@yahoo.com. I also have two videos on YouTube. Just put my name in the search box.
