As a composer and producer I’ve had a long-standing relationship with vocalist, Jenny Burton.  I’ve often found her erudite in her ability to describe her craft and art. In the following interview I find her no less prescient. Jenny is a singer blessed with an amazing instrument that can shake the heavens and seed the clouds. She also is a performer extraordinaire.  On top of all that, in the studio, she’s a totally experienced pro. I had the chance to interview her lately for Watchfire Music. – PL

Peter Link: Why have you chosen music as your instrument of communication?

Jenny Burton: Without managing to sound too unoriginal or sappy, I must say that it’s more that music chose me — was infused into my bones and my life this time around. I have had the great joy of “just waking up” to it and living in it for these many years. Music is an essential part of who I am. It feeds me on the deepest of levels. I know as well that singing and performing is an honor and affords me the chance to give something back from the highest, most unencumbered parts of my self.

What central idea is most important to you in your communication with your audience?

Truth and clarity are very important to me.  The closer I can get to these two aspects of life, the better.  There is much that can be accomplished with music that is transcending.  I believe one of the reasons “the musical” was conceived is because once the playwright/composer has said all he/she can with the written and spoken word, he then finds it imperative to lay those words atop a groove, give them rhythm, and then a melody.  The composer then gives this to a singer to take the scene the rest of the way home.

Give us your own truly original definition of God?

There are many wonderful books available that work at explaining God, but it is my belief that one can only know or define God through their own personal experience. Attempting to put my own spin on a definition of God would only serve to polarize the someone reading this. My relationship and definition of God continues to grow and is deeply personal.  I’m happy to leave the rest to those that consider themselves the experts.

What is your musical objective in this endeavor?

My objective is to share and grow the gifts I’ve been given. I believe that inspiration is a magical thing, a force unto itself. I don’t believe in beating people over the head with my personal beliefs or even with the idea of God, but rather to sing in a manner that uplifts and perhaps causes a thoughtfulness that touches and changes things for someone else. It’s been said that the best laid plans of man/woman go astray, so I put my intention into my preparation, my choices of interpretation, and into being vocally and physically fit so I can be at the top of my game.  I place the rest into the hands of the Author of all and let inspiration do it’s thing.

What song that you’ve written most clearly defines who you are?

I haven’t done much writing in my career, but for my present album I collaborated with composer Peter Link on the lyrics of four of the songs. Often I come up with the title and concept for a song.  Doing so allows me to be more involved in more than just the singing of the song. “I Stand For You”, a song on I Think On These Things, was born from a letter I’d read from one friend to another. I was so touched and struck by the title that I decided to create a song that embodied what it means to truly stand for something or someone!

My foster mother was a metaphysical preacher and pastor of her own church for 30 years. She did not waiver in her faith and she didn’t fool around when it came to God. She taught me how to be sober and discerning where religion is concerned. There’s an old song called “Everybody Talking ‘Bout Heaven Ain’t Goin’ There”. In other words, faith without works is dead. So, I knew that I had to do more than just pay lip service about my faith and belief in God. She preached and taught about the wonders and potential that lay in one’s pursuing their faith and she stood strong in what she preached.

Reverend Josephine Richards is not with us any more, but I will ever remember what she stood for and the impressions and teachings she left me with. She is my lighthouse!  I stand for her. Standing for something wonderful and strong is what I strive to do.

Who are your mentors and why?

My mentors run the gamut. I’ve had Gospel mentors, R&B mentors, Jazz and Blues mentors. Artists like Aretha, of course, — James Cleveland, The Temptations, Sam Cooke, The Four Tops, Otis Redding, Mahaila Jackson, Jerry Butler, Bill Withers, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Tracy Chapman, Michael McDonald, Marvin Gaye, Shirley Bassey, Streisand, James Taylor, B.B. King and his guitar Lucille, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, Ella, Gladys Knight, Oleta Adams. Tina Turner, Mavis Staple, Sammy Davis Jr, Sarah Vaughn and Judy Garland, just to name a few. I also had the influence of musical theatre. These artists sang from their souls and fed mine!  That’s the why.

What makes you choose the grooves, harmonies, styles and melodies of the songs you sing?  Describe the process of picking songs.

I love funky, foot stomping, joyful music for the most part. I also love sad songs and story songs. The idea of singing a well crafted lyric over a great groove, rhythm or melody is most amazing to me. From the first moment I hear a song a blueprint forms inside me. The lyric and subject matter has to interest me as well as my feeling that the song is relevant. Included in my building a song interpretation is the fact that I talk to the composer to find out why the song was written and where it came from. I study the lyric for understanding and connectivity. I build from this a palette of sound from which I sing.  Perhaps a song I didn’t write says it best.

Without a song, the day would never end
Without a song, the road would never bend
When things go wrong a man ain’t got a friend
Without a song.

I’ve got my troubles and woes,
But long as I know the Jordan will roll
I’ll get along, just as long as there’s
A song in my soul

Music by Vincent Youmans, and lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu.

For more inspirational music, thoughts and ideas from Peter Link,
please visit Watchfire Music.