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Naja. | ||
The American Heritage Dictionary describes music as “the art of arranging sounds in time so as to produce a continuous, unified, and evocative composition, as through melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre” (2007). By all means, Naja is a performer who certainly makes music that fits this definition. In fact, when listening to her, Naja’s music seems to speak to the soul. From the city of Philadelphia, PA, Naja’s sultry soulful sound is just what the doctor has ordered for anyone with the blues. We recently were able to catch up with the talented performer who spoke to Music Now.
Q. What is your name? When and where were you born?
A. My name is Karen Moore-Williams aka Naja. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. My husband, Robin Williams Sr. was also born and raised in Philadelphia.
Q. How did you learn to play (sing) this kind of music?
A. I am a classically trained pianist who has developed a love for all kinds of music. I love a little bit of everything from Prince to Pucchin. I also have a love for writing poetry and short stories. I have fused the two mediums together to develop a sound that is all our own. My husband is an accomplished drummer who has traveled and played in Philadelphia and abroad. He has composed all the music on our new CD release Chocolate Aphrodisiac.
Q. When did you start to learn to play the piano? (How old were you?)
A. I was ten years old when I started piano lessons. I started at Settlement Music School
in Philadelphia and went on to study gospel music with my godmother and Alvin Baker.
Robin is a self taught drummer who started playing at nine years of age.
Q. Where did you live at the time?
A. I lived in Philadelphia.
Q. How long have you been actively playing this kind of music?
A. My husband and I have been working together developing the spoken word and music for the past two years. Our music is a combination of R&B, funk, hip hop and jazz.
Q. What is it about this kind of music that makes it different from other types?
A. The music focuses on love and relationships. It is an expression of the love between a husband and wife. This music is different because it speaks of love as a positive experience and engages the listener in a sensual, seductive manner expressing feelings of intimacy.
Q. Are there different styles of playing your type of music?
A. Yes. Every artist has a different approach and a different means of expression and that is communicating is our live shows.
Q. When and where do you usually play music?
A. So far, we have played primarily in the Philadelphia area. We have played at North by Northwest, The Arts Garage and did a production at The African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Q. Do you ever earn money by playing music?
A. As often as possible.
Q. Do you play alone or with others?
A. Sometimes I perform with tracks, other times I perform with a live band under the direction of my husband.
Q. Are there others in this locale that plays the same kind of music? What
are their names and types of musical instruments they play?
A. Philadelphia has many spoken word artists who present their work and talents in
various forms.
Q. Have you passed your tradition on to others, who and when? Why is this
important to you?
A. Our sons have become involved with our projects either in the performance or production aspect. It is important to us that they have an opportunity to develop and perfect their talents.
Q. What is your favorite song or tune to play?
A. I love all of the songs that we play. If I have to pick a favorite, I think it would be the title song of the new CD ;Chocolate Aphrodisiac. The song is a fun song to perform and always get a positive reaction from the audience.
Q. What makes a performance/song good? How do you judge a performance/song?
A. When the audience responds to the words and the music, you have a great song/performance. For us, it is not just about the beat or the instrumentation. I like to know that the audience has heard what I am saying and can remember the experience in their life or long for it to happen for them.
Q. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
A. The CD Chocolate Aphrodisiac is available for purchase from our website www.najarenee.com. Individual track downloads are also available
http://www.najarenee.com
