We are delighted to be featuring bassist Endea Owens.
Endea grew up in Detroit and cites the city's importance in her musical beginnings
"Growing up in Detroit was like growing up in a mecca of music and art. Everywhere I went I heard music, I saw art, I saw dance, I saw innovators. My biggest influences were my first two mentors. Rodney Whitaker and Marcus Belgrave. They were the ones that encouraged me to start playing bass and they made me keep going. There has always been a great music scene in Detroit, from Motown, Jazz, Techno, Hip-Hop, and Gospel. So many musicians today are influenced by Detroit artists."
"I moved to New York because I wanted better for myself. I wanted to push myself harder and find my voice as an artist. Even with all the chaotic moments that go with living in New York, I truly believe that an individual can start to uncover his/her true calling."
When asked about her experiences as a woman in Jazz, Endea explains that they have varied.
"In Detroit, my male counterparts and I were always treated equally. I never felt as if my mentors were 'going easy' on me. Detroit has a deep mentoring spirit"
"However, later on in my career this changed. I do not believe men and women are represented equally. Some people have been making efforts to change this, but it is a slow process. A musician should never have to feel uncomfortable on the bandstand because someone is making sexual commentary."
"There has to be more female representation in jazz. This does not mean just having an all female band perform; this is more about inclusivity. I believe that we can bridge the gap once we start seeing more women sharing the bandstand with male musicians, teaching at major conservatories/universities, having a voice in jazz publications. Once this truly starts happening, I believe we can start making more of a permanent change."
So who are you listening to at the moment?
"I've been revisiting a lot of past music. Pharoah Sanders, Charnett Moffett, Geri Allen, Nik West. Anderson Paak, Rosalia, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, J Dilla, Buster Williams. Many of my contemporaries are also creating amazing music as well. So I have many influences to pull from."
And finally, Endea offered her thoughts on how she heard about KEYEDUP! and how it has benefitted her:
"I heard about Keyed Up! through many local musicians. KEYEDUP! helped me tremendously when I first moved to New York. Many of my first gigs in New York were through KEYEDUP!. On those gigs, I knew that I would be able to play with amazing musicians and because KU! matches the band price of each venue, I knew that I wouldn't have to take any odd jobs around the city. I could truly make a living strictly as a musician and be able to focus on my craft. KU! enables artists voices to be heard. Artists that sometimes get overlooked.
In February, Endea will be releasing her first album "Feel Good Music", and you can catch her on tour with Wynton Marsalis