Yehmanja recalls her personal story through song
at West End Studio Theater in San Rafael
West Coast Arts Foundation presents "My Song, My Story" an intimate performance featuring songstress, storyteller and healer - Yehmanja - performing jazz and American songbook tunes; soul, gospel, reggae and original music as she recalls her personal story about surviving several near death experiences suffering from asthma and emphysema. Yehmanja hopes her story, told through music, will help others move toward a higher consciousness.
"My creation of this concert stems from my seven near death experiences. My songs and my stories are an explanation of those experiences and 'how I got over,' " said Yehmanja.
From the soulful sultry sounds of jazz to the powerful ancestral calls of gospel, Yehmanja is unquestionably a powerful instrument. The concert will feature spirituals including "This is My Song, This is My Story," "How I Got Over," "Something Woke Me Up," "I Need You To Survive," "I Will Sing Your Praise" and "Center of My Joy," as well as Nina Simone favorites including "I Put A Spell on You."
Guest artists include - vocalist Joel Fleisher. Joel has made a name for himself in the L. A. Cabaret scene and is often a headliner at the Fairmont Hotel, recently opening for Tony Bennett; and well known Bay Area soloist Lady SunRise will perform. Lady SunRise has been coined the "Angel of Jazz" by the late great pianist, Ed Kelly. Band members are composer, arranger Glen Pearson well known for his position as principle pianist for Grammy winners Regina Belle, Diane Reeves and Bobby Hutcherson; also performing are Michael Jones, bass; Ranzell Merritt, drums; and James Bailey, saxophone.
Tickets for this event are tax deductible. "My Song, Story" is a benefit in part for the West Coast Arts Foundation's Scholarship Program for young artists.
"My Song, My Story" is directed by Yehmanja.
IF YOU GO:
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013
TICKETS: $25 to $30
$25 in advance, ordered online.$30 at the door.
TICKET ONLINE: Order tickets online through Brown Paper Tickets and or Westcoastarts.org Pay Pal account.
Purchase ticket online at Brown Paper Tickets at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/490189
LOCATION: West End Studio Theater
1554 4th Street, Between E and F Streets
San Rafael, Calif. 94901
PHONE: 415-235-8557
WEBSITE: westcoastarts.org
ARTIST WEBSITE: www.yehmanjarisen.com
More about Yehmanja: "Some will choose to go through the same struggles I went through. But, they don't have to," said Yehmanja, referring to her personal struggles and triumphs in a 2006 Times Star / Inside Bay Area article, written by Brenda Payton.
In 2006, Yehmanja premiered her one-woman show "Church House, Dope House, Dream House," at Berkeley Rep. With storytelling and music, the show illustrated her soulful journey with God and personal powerful transformation. Yehmanja heals and ministers through the Spirit of God and the Song of Glory. From the soulful sultry sounds of jazz to the powerful ancestral calls of gospel, Yehmanja is unquestionably a powerful instrument of Spirit.
Born in Oakland, Yehmanja began ministering at the early age of five, transforming lives and uplifting spirits by the deep resonant sounds of her voice. Yehmanja moved forward boldly on her journey singing and praising as she grew and transformed her own life from the inside out. Yehmanja has been a choir director for several churches and was the Gospel Choir Instructor at the University of San Francisco.
She has performed television work including commercials for Quaker Oats and Dr. Oz. She performed in the "Love Heals" concert with both Danny Glover and Alice Walker. Other stage appearances include"Black Nativity Production," at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in San Francisco; "Mother Hubbard," presented by the Black Repertory Theatre. Yehmanja is also known for her one-woman gospel show “Maiskane and Cosmic Gospel Experience,” performed at the Marin Showcase Theatre in San Rafael.
"Singing is my connection to God. In the end, it's not about the story, it's about the victory," says Yehmanja.
ABOUT WEST COAST ARTS FOUNDATION:
Since 1998, West Coast Arts Foundation takes pride in supporting the development of young artists and those artists whose dreams have yet to come to fruition. WCAF provides an affordable venue for the development of new works. WCAF is the only venue of it’s kind in Marin, networking with playwrights, choreographers, singers, dancers, composers, poets and more, to offer a place in which one can experiment and produce new works. WCAF seasoned artists’ concert series and performances help to inspire young artists in residence.
