a new voice in contemporary m.u.s.e. (music unleashed from soul experience) - cheryl lynne skinner - Muse News

IN THE MIX

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

I spent a wonderful day today in the Ellington Studios, DC tinkling the ivories donated by Stevie Wonder. Special thanks to Kela Veshi, violinist and Nick Costa on drums on this session. Special thanks to Billy Hickey, studio manager and engineer. You were a joy to work with. After sweetening these tracks I will have a couple of single releases to share very soon. Will keep you posted!

Starting to pack to head South, can't wait!

Peace,
Cheryl

Reflection & Revelation-God's signs, wonders and miracles

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

August is an exciting time of new beginnings, school begins again, cultural arts & sports seasons begin. I have begun to rehearse with new musicians for recording and performing this year. Next month I am happy to be sharing music in Texas and Louisiana at several Unity Churches. I will be going solo on this one and sharing Reflection & Revelation-stories of God's signs, wonders and miracles in my life. One of the resources that has resonated in my life is the Daily Word, Unity's daily inspirational publication. With all the crazy ups and downs in life I am grateful for my solid foundation of faith that helps keep me grounded. Details of the Unity Tour are on the Marquee.

Later this month I have been presented the opportunity to do some recording. Now there is nowhere I would rather be than in a recording studio. I will keep you posted on this.
ENJOY!
Cheryl

EARLY WARNING

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Please join me as I celebrate my new CD release and present "Shades of Blue on Sunday Afternoon" at Sankofa Cafe, 2714 Georgia Avenue NW Washington DC on September 12, 2010. (near Howard University) The music begins at 3:00 PM. This is an early warning and more specifics about the day's event will be forthcoming. Please mark your calendars. www.sankofa.com

HAPPY 4TH WEEKEND!

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!

SEEKING the LIGHT: Celebration of the Sun

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

On this summer solstice day I am reminded of just how miraculous life is. The energy from the Sun in sisterhood with Nature empowers the Planet to exist and thrive. Today for a moment it reaches its highest point and appears to stand still. Everything moves in perfection as God created it. Sometimes I take this for granted today I give thanks to God for his divine creation.

Speaking of divine creation, I have been busy composing music for my next project. I am excited about this music and will be working with some special friends to bring it to life. You can follow the activity on my blog from this site. I have five compositions completed. I guess it is time to speak because this is becoming predominately a vocal project. For a long time I haven’t felt like using words but I guess I am like the sun. I stood still before moving into a new direction.

Thanks to those who have joined me on face book. I am enjoying it. This month special thanks to visitors to this site from India Dhan-ya-vaadaa & Dev boren koru

ENJOY!
Cheryl Lynne Skinner

GETTING CONNECTED

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Ok. so here I am trying to join the 21st century by social networking. I resisted long enough so now I am on Facebook with a music page (Cheryl Lynne Skinner) & here at myspace (www.myspace.com/cheryllynneskinner) (wonders never cease) Now for the news......

First I have to give a couple of shout outs: Special thanks to DC's WPFW (89.5) radio talk show host Lona Alias for including me on the Playlist on Sunday March 21, 2010. Her show the Spirit of Jazz featured an eclectic mixture of inspirational music and I was listed in great company including Chaka Khan, Martina McBride, Celine Dionne, Josh Groban, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder & many others. (wonders never cease)

Beginning in June I will be blogging from cheryllynneskinner.com. The blog will contain excerpts of my upcoming book release and events as I start to share this music with the world. Stay tuned for more....

Thanks also to itunes Europe for the downloads. As I have said before ALL downloads are appreciated and help me promote inspirational music. I am working on next week's mp3 release and until then ENJOY! Thanks for connecting with me today and I hope you make the ultimate connection--------The God Connection!

Peace,
Cheryl Lynne Skinner

ALL STRUNG OUT!

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Thanks for visiting. This week’s entry is difficult to write. Many of my discussions this week have revolved around these economic times and how difficult it seems to be to juggle all the responsibilities of life. Many arts organizations budgets are being cut. People are afraid of losing their jobs and left wondering how to feed their families. I feel the tension. I feel the pain in my own world so I took a detour from the charted path I planned and this week have made All Strung Out the Shades of Blue whole song feature. All Strung Out is a chamber jazz blues with strings attached. (Don't forget to take a look at Paulina Constancia's ceramic tile visual artwork corresponding with this composition in the Memories section.) I also added TENSION b9 into a new category entitled “OUT THE BOX”. This piece was a part of the cheryllynneskinner.com mp3 Project 2009. I felt the need to revisit it.

You know I really don’t like giving negativity power so I have to hold on to my faith and hope in times like these. I honestly feel that although these are challenging times they are leading us to view our “work” and purpose ultimately leading us to better choices of how we spend our precious time. We are forced to evaluate our true gifts and talents and figure out how to use them to create our best life, reach our fullest potential and live a prosperous life. Now that’s a life worth living! I must stand on God's promises: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and ALL these things will be added unto you!" & this particular verse sums it up: Do not worry, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?"--Matthew 6:31

I have placed Grant Us Light in the Meditation section as we contemplate our true purpose. Grant Us Light is from the Kwanzaa Suite representing the fifth day “Nia” (purpose in Swahili) Honoring National Poetry Month the lyrics to this hymn can be viewed if you click on the song title.

Enjoy,

Cheryl Lynne Skinner

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Peace on Earth on this Good Friday! As we approach Easter Sunday I have such feelings of gratitude that Christ died so that I might have an abundant life. Although I credit Christ for giving the ultimate gift there have been many who have contributed to my life so it could be more abundant. I have to give a Shout Out to everyone later in this entry. Those who follow my work know I could talk about that forever so let me get to the News:

New in the Marketplace: Each week I am sharing some new meditation compositions on the Music Page. These pieces are from the Reflection & Revelation Collection for meditation and/or contemplation. There are whole song versions in the Music Section. Starting today you can download each mp3 track from my Nimbit storefront from the Marketplace so that you can enjoy and use at your convenience. My first two tracks Kuumba and Open Your Heart are now available. You can listen to a shorter music sample as well as purchase a download from the Nimbit Store.
NOTE: Currently: These are mp3 single tracks for download only.

This Week's Full Track Feature: This week we are featuring the track Indigo-go from the Shades of Blue CD release. Don't forget to check out the corresponding visual artwork in the Memories Section by Ashi Bey!

With an Attitude of Gratitude :

I thank God, the Creator for giving me such a wonderful gift to caretake on the Planet.

For March, I would like to thank those Visitors on the web site from Bulgaria. The web has made this a smaller world to be celebrated by all. Sdrawei! Mnogo blagodaria!

Without these grantors the Elinez Music Catalog would not exist. At every crucial career phase there have been people or organizations that have kept me alive and creating music:

Kentucky Foundation for Women- for the purchase of my Triton Pro Workstation Keyboard and Finale Software

Kentucky Educational Television documentary “Electronic Field Trip to the KY Center for the Arts” & “Go For Baroque” TV Show Theme Music for Mixed Media talk show on KET for my first music liscense contract

ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) Award

"African American Composers Live” pictorial exhibit, Belmont Mansion, Philadelphia, PA for recognizing and honoring my work among the greats

“Artists Residency” Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Sweetbriar, VA for providing a wonderful space to create. This grant was sponsored by KY Foundation for Women

“Professional Development Grant” Kentucky Arts Council

“ CD Production Grant” Illinois Arts Council provided manufacturing funds for the "Sunday Afternoon" CD

“Artist Enrichment Grant” Kentucky Foundation For Women- for demo work and time to compose the "Shades of Blue" CD & travel to NY for research

“Change, Inc. Grant” New York, NY for helping me through a very hard spot.

“Program Grant” Lexington Arts & Cultural Council, Lexington, KY for "Cheryl Lynne Skinner in Concert" at the Lexington Public Library

The Louisville Defender Newspaper for always covering my local events

Kentucky Center for the Arts for hosting my first "live" Concert Recording & Premier of Shades of Blue Concert/Art Exhibit

Mrs. Melinda Duncan for managing, nurturing @ supporting (even feeding the band) in the initial stages investing enormous time, energy and monetary investment for me unconditionally.

Susan Thompson, Rebecca & Mr & Mrs. Edward Begley, Gwen & James Stith for holding the vision for me until I could hold it for myself

Ina Ellis, for ALWAYS being there.

Doris Raney for the manufacturing of "Beginnings" cassette

Keith McCuthen for being the most talented musician/band leader ever!

Ken Clay for having the courage and confidence in my work to allow me to share it in a wonderful creative enviornment as the Kentucky Center for the Arts

Mr. Lloyd Remick, Dr Maya Angelou, Mrs. Gwendolyn Brooks, Ms. Sherry Winston and Mr. Dan Kassell for saying yes!

Phyllis O'Dell, Dhilanthi Fernando and Shanta Premawardhana, Rita & Renee Gregg, Deb Tyler & Shelley Jones for helping me stay alive!

Mr. Allen on 4th St. Mrs. Cristine Gay, Mrs Mattie Taylor, Mr. John Edmonson, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Cowan, Mr. Charles Campbell, Mrs. Linda Dimartino, Francis Fuge & Cheryl Hodges who gave me a terrific music education.

Rev. Randolph Wilkinson who helped me seek & find the "Truth"

The FANS & MUSICIANS, all the people who attend the Concerts, buy the CD's & Download Music I thank you with all my heart. Believe it or not there have been moments when your downloads help feed me. It is difficult to make you understand what happens in the lives of musicians behind the scenes and how every dollar you spend in our support really helps us to continue our quest.

Last but not least my family: Eli & Inez (ELINEZ) Colette, JP & Vanita, Mr.Curry, Aunt Mary & Uncle John for teaching me the truth that "blood is thicker than water"

May God Bless You ALL!

IMPROVISING A LIFE

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

As promised I have finished recording my tribute composition to celebrate Women's History month. It has been added in the Meditation Music Section on the Music page. Forgive me as I repeat some information from my last entry for those who may be reading this entry for the first time.

As I pondered the contributions of women many realizations came to light. Women have displayed so much courage and resilience in history that I couldn’t single out one’s accomplishments over another or I would be writing until next year. When I thought of all the women in my life and how they have supported me in my dreams and aspirations it is not the rich or famous that first come to mind. After looking at the qualities that I admire in these women I found certain common denominators. They all lived a life that honors their values and in some cases are willing to die for them. They all take responsibility of their lives. They all have a strong commitment to their purpose, cause or passion. They all have a strong sense of self, their talents, skills & gifts and give themselves permission to take the time to focus on them. They never hesitate to help another and are willing to be of service. They all use their dynamic intuition and creativity to solve problems, do their work, fight for a cause and sometimes to survive. One thing you can bet on is that these women will be there. Whether it’s the mom with food on the table when you get home from school or Mother Theresa’s prayers for peace for all the children in the world you can count on them. So I salute all creative women everywhere.

As I was working on this new recording release “Kuumba” it took me back to the past. I was thinking about how long ago I wrote it and where my own creativity has taken me over these years. Composing & recording this composition I could feel the sounds and pulse of the Motherland. Kuumba an African Swahili word meaning “creativity” is celebrated on the sixth day of Kwanzaa. Kuumba was first performed at the Harold Washington Library Auditorium in Chicago, IL. I have spoken before on the fact that no matter what your profession we are creating and improvising our lives each day by the actions we take. In recording this composition I gave my holy spirit it’s creative voice, free of words it could truly speak. I hope you enjoy this meditation and let your creativity flow. Let Go & Let God!

I want to thank ITunes Japan. I don”˜t know who you are but each and every download makes a difference.

Peace,

Cheryl Lynne Skinner

OPEN YOUR HEART

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

This year has been very unpredictable with mounds of snow slowing us down to take advantage of some needed rest. Speaking of rest and relaxation as promised there is some meditation music in the Music section for those of you who want to partake. As promised each week I am making one track of the Shades of Blue available in the long version so you can hear the full track. Last week was Lapis Lazuli and this week will be Sapphire. I want to shout out a special thanks to iTunes Australia for the music downloads. Each and every download makes a difference.
Peace,
Cheryl Lynne Skinner