Spotlight Conversations with Deborah Smith

In Tribute to the legendary writer, poetess, educator and friend Nikki Giovanni, who transitioned on December 9, 2024, I want to share the very first Spotlight Conversation that I was honored to have with this legend back in 2006. Nikki invited me down to Virginia Tech for this interview which quite frankly, put SOJPRadio on the map! Enjoy the wisdom and knowledge of Nikki Giovanni

I am pleased to have with me today a young man who stands out as one of the most promising new voices in the emerging French jazz wave, excelling as a trumpeter, improviser, bandleader, educator, and composer. His remarkable journey between the United States and Europe demonstrates his exceptional talent, making his artistry authentic, grounded, and creative. I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing his unique artistry at an engagement at the Black Squirrel Club here in Philadelphia, and to say the least he was remarkable.

I had a wonderfully laid back discussion with one of the featured artists on SOJP's upcoming Fall event "Autumn Leaves," Toni “Momma-T” Curtis. Singer Songwriter Poet Director and ProducerMomma-T has a flair for putting words together and an expansive range of thoughts that makes her poetry soar.

It was indeed a pleasure to have a conversation with a young Lioness in the world of jazz. My guest today is a trombonist, educator, composer/arranger, bandleader and a undergrad student at Temple University's Boyer College of Music.

I had the pleasure of having an enjoyable conversation with Kavita Shah, an award-winning vocalist, composer, researcher, and educator who makes work in deep engagement with the jazz tradition, while also addressing and advancing its global sensibilities. A lifelong New Yorker of Indian origin hailed for possessing an “amazing dexterity for musical languages.

I had the chance to speak with Bethlehem Roberson a multi-talented singer, poetess and "Vocussionist." If you've never heard the term Vocussionist, Bethlehem will break it down for us. She's truly an amazing artist and we're so glad that she had the time to speak with us.

"Lizeth Dunn (Aka Lgdpoet) was born on April 27, 1979 in Guayaquil, Ecuador to her Ecuadorian parents who immigrated to the United State when she was the tender age of two. She is the eighth of eleven children and has a twin sister. She grew up in an environment where abuse echoed in her home. Yet she found ways to cherish the good moments in her youth. She discovered her love for poetry twenty-five years after her first heartbreak. Lizeth continued to write in silence keeping her stories close to her heart. After the end of a long-term relationship and the passing of her mother in 2019, she build the courage to share and recite, what she calls vulnerable poetry, with people who would listen. Lizeth is now working on her first poetry book, “Escaping The Echoes Of Myself…” to be released, independently, by the end of 2023."

What a wonderful conversation I had with Monet, whose musical repertoire is diverse with influences drawn from jazz, soul, latin, classical, folk, house and funk. Fundamentally, however, her sound is purely rooted in organic soul. The influences are a glorious amalgamation of Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell, Bob Marley, Sade and Hubert Laws. Surrounded by multiple genres of music by both parents - her mother a doo-wop singer and her father a manager of jazz and Latin artists. Monet's - musical roots run deep. A little known fact is that she was accepted to the prestigious Cornell University at the tender age of 14 on scholarship due to her advanced musical proficiency in classical flute. Monet also plays guitar, oboe , piccolo and piano. One would be remiss not to mention Monet’s various film credits including acting and directing. This is a resume full of aesthetic discovery.

Linda Sikhakhane is a South African born saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was born in Umlazi Township near Durban where his love for music was triggered at an early age. In keeping with the tradition of Spotlight Conversations, we had a very laid back, informative conversation that I hope you will enjoy.

I had the pleasure of welcoming poetess L.N. Mallory aka Poeticc Serenityy as a guest on Spotlight Conversations. She's the author of Tears of a Butterflyy Poetry Collection. Mallory enjoys expressing her thoughts and feelings through words. Her passion for writing came about after the passing of her mother in 2018. Mallory needed a way to release her emotions. True tears escaped on paper and created her poetic words. After a year of writing Mallory decided to write her first poetry book, Tears of a Butterflyy. This is only the beginning of her journey as a poet and writer. Mallory's future endeavors includes creating a children's book series and audio recordings of poetry. This Butterflyy is ready fly, be ready to catch her.