Girls Rock! DC

Reesa Renee

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:01:08 -0400

Up and coming DC artist, Reesa Renee is a musician, singer and lyricist. Her sound is focused mostly on R&B but with clear jazz influences. Melding them together for a great listening experience.

Reesa launched her solo career in 2011 and is an independent artist. Through her obvious love and talent for music, she hopes to inspire her community to reach beyond their circumstances and achieve their dreams. Her debut album “Reelease,” is autobiographical and full of original songs about experiences she has gone through. “My album is going to be exactly that — my journey of discovering my voice, discovering my purpose,” says Reesa.

She has worked hard to get where she is. Reesa had a full time job as a personal trainer while she wrote her album. It was her creative outlet, but she had to learn to juggle two important responsibilities. While recording her album, she also played in small clubs, to get her name out there. It was in this process that she got a chance to play at the famed Apollo Theatre for its amateur night. She sang one of her own songs, and won!

Though Reesa is gaining great success she knows she is just starting. “I still need to learn things. I’m still feeling it out,” says Reesa. However, at the rate she is going, it is safe to say she’s doing a great job feeling things out and will be a hit in no time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT-mGTfXUPw

References:
http://www.reesarenee.com/biography
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/reesa-renee-on-life-dreams-and-upcoming-album/2012/06/08/gJQAntjTNV_blog.html

by Joan Ronstadt

Shirley Horn

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:00:54 -0400

Shirley Horn was a renowned jazz musician. She was known for her unique singing ability and talent on the piano. Born in D.C. in 1934, Shirley endured a great career with a remarkable legacy.

She began piano lessons at the age of 4 and by the time she was a teenager, received a scholarship to Julliard. However, she decided to stay close to home and attended Howard University. She began as a classical musician but by the mid 1950s, her interests switched to jazz music.

It wouldn’t be until the late ‘90s that Shirley would win a Grammy Award, for her song “I Remember Miles.” Most of her tours were constricted to D.C. because she wanted to be close to family and be able to raise her daughter. Though Shirley’s love for music was grand (much like her talent) she never compromised her priorities for fame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZOAQGLvYcw

Refrences:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/22/arts/music/22horn.html?_r=0
http://www.npr.org/programs/jazzprofiles/archive/horn_s.html

by Joan Ronstadt

Cass Elliot

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:27:57 -0400

Cass Elliot, also known as Mama Cass, was born in 1941 in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up in Washington DC. She was an icon of the ‘60s and ‘70s. She was in a group called The Mamas and The Papas who had such hits as “Monday Monday,” “California Dreamin’,” and “Dream A Little Dream of Me.” In 1998 Cass and the rest of the group were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Additionally, Cass was in such groups as The Big 3, The New Journeymen and The Mugwumps. She also had a very successful solo career after The Mamas and The Papas disbanded. Her solo hits included “It’s Getting Better,” “Make Your Own Kind of Music,” and “New World Coming.”

It is hard to grow up in the nation’s capital and not become influenced by the political atmosphere around you. So it is no surprise that Cass was very involved in politics, especially encouraging people to vote. “I don’t think it’s so important who you vote for-you vote for who you believe in. The important thing is to vote, because it’s our way and it’s the best way,” said Cass in 1972.

Though Cass passed away unexpectedly in 1974, she leaves behind a great musical legacy. Her work with The Mamas and The Papas is some of the most recognizable of the ‘60s and ‘70s, much like The Beatles or Bob Dylan. It isn’t hard to find her influence on later musicians like Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or Beth Ditto of Gossip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aK6JnyFmk

by Joan Ronstadt

Roberta Flack

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:53:00 -0400

DC-native Roberta Flack is an R&B, soul, jazz, pop and folk singer-song writer. She is a Grammy Award winner and is best known for her song “Killing Me Softly,” which was released in 1973. She even got her very own Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.

Born in 1937, Roberta has been dazzling crowd since a very young age.
Roberta was classically trained how to play the piano. By the time she was 15 years old she was attending Howard University for a music scholarship she had received! She was later discovered at a local club called Mr. Henry’s and signed to Atlantic Records. She has since released more than fifteen studio albums throughout her career.

She is also very interested in helping others become passionate about music. In partnership with the Hyde Leadership Charter School in New York, she set up the Roberta Flack School of Music. This after-school program helps kids to learn, listen and love music and further their creativity.

Roberta is now in her 70s but is still touring and even releasing new music. Her latest album, Let It Be Roberta, is an interpretive album based on her favorite hits by The Beatles. Roberta’s music ranges between genres and that diversity makes her a great candidate for having so many hits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1eOsMc2Fgg

by Joan Ronstadt

Get your free tix to Women & Girls Matter now! Media That Matters’s great events on women...

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:56:17 -0400

Get your free tix to Women & Girls Matter now! Media That Matters’s great events on women and girls in media 10/29 NYC http://t.co/T2A79gXg

RT @allthingsfashdc: Bonus Event: EF Tipster Event - Meet @EileenFisher ’s DC market style expert...

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:06:39 -0400

RT @allthingsfashdc: Bonus Event: EF Tipster Event - Meet @EileenFisher ’s DC market style expert “Tipsters” http://t.co/wWNo4J4I

All Fashion. All News. All DC. #allthingsfashiondc: Bonus Event: Eileen Fisher Tipster Event

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:09:32 -0400

All Fashion. All News. All DC. #allthingsfashiondc: Bonus Event: Eileen Fisher Tipster Event:

allthingsfashiondc:

Meet Eileen Fisher’s DC market style expert “Tipsters” for the first time as they present the Fall 2011 Collection and show guests a variety of ways to style and wear them pieces. The event will be hosted by Danielle the “Sleek Simple” Tipster and Candice the “Outfit Maker” Tipster. Light…

Join us at @Saks for advice from @EILEENFISHER tipsters, and when you shop 5 percent goes to...

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:51:07 -0400

Join us at @Saks for advice from @EILEENFISHER tipsters, and when you shop 5 percent goes to @GirlsRockDC - http://t.co/vfuxZvuy #dcevents

Guitar Center’s makeover http://t.co/pPKy8C8

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:26:52 -0400

Guitar Center’s makeover http://t.co/pPKy8C8

Guitar Center's makeover

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:55:40 -0400

Guitar Center's makeover

ArtDiva says, Girl Power ROCKS! - we agree: http://t.co/7oLbHr1 #grdc2011

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:47:56 -0400

ArtDiva says, Girl Power ROCKS! - we agree: http://t.co/7oLbHr1 #grdc2011

More great coverage & photos of the showcase rolling in - from BYT

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:02:40 -0400

More great coverage & photos of the showcase rolling in - from BYT

Have a shot from our show you want to share?

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:28:55 -0400

At our tumblr there’s a “Submit and share” link at the top of the page where you can submit one of your favorite shots to share with the world!

Photo: What a show! Thank you all for rocking out with us! http://t.co/nDAfcUb

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:33:42 -0400

Photo: What a show! Thank you all for rocking out with us! http://t.co/nDAfcUb

RT @kadarlikeradar: At @girlsrockdc showcase at @930club. Blown away, these girls are amazing!

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:09:28 -0400

RT @kadarlikeradar: At @girlsrockdc showcase at @930club. Blown away, these girls are amazing!

What a show! Thank you all for rocking out with us!

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:22:03 -0400

What a show! Thank you all for rocking out with us!

RT @dcgrrl: Postcard: last day of @GirlsRockDC camp- lunchtime concert...

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:57:41 -0400

RT @dcgrrl: Postcard: last day of @GirlsRockDC camp- lunchtime concert #grdc2011 http://twitpic.com/64y9gw

Today’s lunch band is Hey Arboré - they are stirring up quite a dance party! #grdc2011

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:27:06 -0400

Today’s lunch band is Hey Arboré - they are stirring up quite a dance party! #grdc2011

Welcome to day three of @GirlsRockDC! #grdc2011

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:45:36 -0400

Welcome to day three of @GirlsRockDC! #grdc2011

Don’t miss our show on Saturday at the 9:30 Club - 11am -...

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:45:37 -0400

Don’t miss our show on Saturday at the 9:30 Club - 11am - only $10!