It’s stumbling in the dark but knowing I have wings
…and so do you.
THIS, IS DIRTY JAZZ :
If there are such things as “dark nights of the soul” then, this record is me emerging from one, still whole. Dawn’s Rise is my emergence-y. I hope these records will heal the wound.
THE REASON:
I think that globally, right now, our culture is wounded deeply by the rift that comes from trying to compartmentalize our humanity. Trying to separate our spirits, bodies and minds, our feminine and masculine, our men and women.
In reality that kind of separation is impossible. What is a body without a soul? A corpse. Souls without bodies are but ghosts and without wisdom we are just another kind of corpse, beyond comatose…But our culture seems bent on convincing us that those fractures are not only possible, but desirable, especially when it comes to sexuality. We have ourselves (and our children) convinced that we can have sex without becoming emotionally and spiritually affected; invested. Just trying to live down to that is making us sick and crazy. Both literally and metaphorically. My music in general, and Dawn’s Rise in particular, is made to try and shed light on the deception. To help close and heal those wounds…in defense of Love.
Niki
MY RECORDS, MY TALE:
The daughter of a jazz musician and pop lover, I was reared in an eclectic soup of genres and styles that only grew more diverse as I got old enough to explore music in my own right. I coined the term “Dirty Jazz” to describe my format-defying blend of Hip Hop, Jazz and Soul that has attracted fans worldwide. My self-promoted, debut EP First Light was a labour of love and determination - personally financed on my credit cards - which, despite it’s “trial by fire”, novice promotion, went on to garner praise, feature spotlights, interviews, chart positions, and regular rotation at over 150 shows and stations around the world. In fact there are networks at which First Light has maintained continuous rotation since its international release in 2006. And it continues to be discovered and picked up for rotation at new stations and shows to date.
The First Light EP was a big learning curve. The process of recording and especially promoting…Suffice to say, I’ve learned a thing or two! Now I’m doing it all again. Dawn’s Rise is a 7 song EP (4 new tracks, plus the First Light ones – back by popular demand). It’s geared to flesh out the story I started to tell and position me for the production and release of my first album, Lost Girl Found. I did take a much more active role in the production phase of these new tracks. So, even more of me is in these new records. I’m committed to trying to contribute my part to healing the rift. I’m really proud of what we’ve done and I hope my fans and supporters will be proud too
for more on my records, click here
REVIEWS:
Niki Andre’s ‘Dirty Jazz’ “has caused a sensation” †† If you haven’t had the pleasure of being moved by her “seductive”, “velvet” tones, keep tuned. “a wonderful singer-songwriter with an engaging presence both live and on record”,“Niki André is ready to take center stage…[S]he makes a powerful impression with her soft voice. Her lyrics are not watered down for consumption but refreshing and nurturing for the soul"“She is definitely proving, lyrically and vocally, to be what the industry is lacking.” So get Lost in Dirty Jazz.
†† review quotes by (in order of appearance): • Mario Padilla, Radio Contadero, Spain • David Cintron, WPRK 91.5, Apopka, Florida • Armen Manukyan RADIO ARDZAGANK FM103.5, Yerevan, Armenia • Jude Kelly, Chair, R&B/Soul Committee - 2003-2005 Juno Awards, Former Vice President - Urban Music Association of Canada • DJ Junior, aka Bruce Campbell, Urban Music Director, WKDU, Philly • Heather Douglas, Producer/Co-Host, Soul Perspectives, CKUT 90.3, Montreal, Quebec
