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NOIRE Artist Spotlight: Nealie Greely

by NOIRE Online

November 15, 2021 731 views
 

Noire's artist spotlight, this week, belongs to Nealie Greely.

Nealie was born into a family of singers. She is all jazz… She loves it and your ears will too. Her voice moves with the flow of Ella Fitzgerald.

Nealie has the ability to convert simple phrases and words into jazzy notes of joy!

Check out her jazzy set at:  https://youtu.be/bEBiHGPuvU8

NOIRE: Tell our readers about yourself as an artist.

NEALIE: Well, I never really considered myself an "artist", just a person who loves the art of music. I would consider myself a music nerd who enjoys everything from classical, jazz, funk, folk music, blues, gospel and etc.

NOIRE: What made you get involved in music?

NEALIE: I would have to say my family is the reason I love music the way I do, especially my father’s side. I grew up with a family that sang at just about every occasion. We even had a family choir that my small community loved! My aunt, Barbara Greely-Williamson, was my first huge inspiration! She was the choir director of the junior choir at my church and was well known as one of the top directors in the communities. I remember begging her to sing with the teenagers because I thought the children’s choir songs were too easy lol! I was a bit much as a child! She also convinced my mother to enroll me in piano lessons at the age of 6. My first piano teacher was actually my cousin, but once she moved out of town about a year later, she introduced me to my long-term piano teacher, Mrs. Juanita Magee! Mrs. Magee taught me until I graduated from high school. She was also the reason I wanted to further my education in music.

NOIRE: Who is your all-time favorite artist?

NEALIE: Whew (laughing out loud), now this is a hard question because there is so much good music out there! It is hard to just pick one! Let me give you three!

Miles Davis, because he was OK with progressively moving with the transitions of music, yet still keeping his own feel! Miles was innovative in many ways, he was also big own allowing people to get there start with him, molding them, and letting them start their own projects! He was not a selfish musician.

The “First Lady of Song”, Ella Fitzgerald. Ella single handedly changed the game for vocalists! Many artists today stem from her vocal approach. To name a few, Jazmine Sullivan, The Clark Sisters, Rachelle Ferrell, Diane Reeves and Lalah Hathaway. I mean the List goes on and on! What’s So funny about Ella is that she was a huge Louis Armstrong fan, so she was big on studying melodic lines, heck she was even lethal with creating her own line. Simply put, you just don’t get many ELLAS in this lifetime!

Jill Scott, “Jilly from Philly”. Jill Scott was the first person I saw that became mainstream, that looked like “ME”. A plus sized beautiful woman who sings and can get the attention of who so ever she desires! I had never bought an album until Jill Scott! LOL!! I was in junior high talking about, “Is it the way”. I love that she is so laid back and poetic. When she hits the stage, she demands attention without even trying. She does not have to do much, yet her singing makes you feel good!

NOIRE: What is your favorite genre of music? Your favorite song?

NEALIE: I would have to say Jazz, classical and Neo-soul! I believe they both fit my personality best! Favorite songs? Whew another hard one! Let me give you three! Naima-John Coltrane Clair de Lune- Claude Debussy If I can help Somebody- Mahalia Jackson

NOIRE: Is music important in the Black community? Why?

NEALIE: Yes!! Music is definitely important, especially in the black community. Historically, music has always been a way of communication! It is in our roots, from the motherland of Africa to the soils of the slavery. Music brings unity, music is universal and let’s face it, Black music is the original American Music! Gospel, blues, jazz and even rock and roll. It is important that we keep the richness of our creativity alive. Black people are more than just built for sports and labor. We are not accredited for the many things we have created in America and throughout world, which made it what it is today.

NOIRE: What impact can music have on the Black community? On our Black youth?

NEALIE: Music heavily influences the black community. Especially our youth, I think that it is ashamed that we have dropped the ball as far as keeping music in schools and in other arenas. What happens to the children that are not just athletes? Where can that kid that loves to put pen to paper and write lyrics? How can they express themselves during school or even after school? What about the weird kid that loves jazz and even classical music? That kid that loves Broadway and plays! There is so much more to offer when it comes to the arts and music! Kids cannot see what’s available if it is not offered.

NOIRE: What advice would you give aspiring musicians?

NEALIE: Practice, be confident and be yourself! Remember, comparison is the thief of joy! Pursue your passion with purpose!


View other installments in the NOIRE Artist Spotlight series.


[Updated on November 22, 2021]

 
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NOIRE Online
NOIRE is a new online magazine that scopes the Black and multicultural community from a cutting-edge perspective. Our mantra is “Our Lives, Our Stories, Our Voices.” Our vision is to become the leading source of true, high-quality narratives of people of color.
 

 

 

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